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1941-45
Great East Asia War Medal
(Modern Copy Full Size, With Case)
大東亞戰爭從軍記章
(現代官方版, 含盒)
Item number: M116
Year: AD 1944-2000s
Material: Tin
The results after XRF testing
Ag
7.99%
Pt
0.476%
Zn
32.73%
Cu
58.81%
Size: case 103.6 x 55.2 x 25.0 / medal 30.4 x 78.0 x 2.3 mm
Weight: 33.55 g
Provenance: Private Collector, Taiwan, 2022
This medal, known as the “Great East Asia War Medal,” was established on June 21, AD 1944, by Imperial Japanese Decree No. 417 under Emperor Showa. It was intended to be awarded to individuals who participated in the Greater East Asia War. However, due to the worsening situation of the war, the medal was ultimately not issued, and its primary recipients remain uncertain. Alongside other decorations like the China Incident War Medal, this medal was officially abolished in AD 1946. It is presented in a black lacquer case with gilt lettering.
The appearance of this item is that of a circular tin medal. On the obverse side, it features two intersecting swords, a radiant eight-pointed star, and a chrysanthemum emblem (symbolising the Japanese imperial family) at the centre, surrounded by cherry blossom motifs.
The reverse side bears a shield-shaped pattern with the inscription “Greater East Asia War” in Japanese kanji calligraphy. The ribbon of the medal starts with purple and light blue stripes on each side, followed by dark green stripes, with light green in the middle. Additionally, the ribbon includes a nameplate with the inscription “War Service Medal” (從軍記章).
This medal was only produced in approximately ten thousand pieces. However, due to Japan’s defeat in the war, its moulds were destroyed, and it was declared void. Consequently, genuine specimens of this medal are extremely rare today, many of the specimens seen on the market are replicas manufactured after the war for commemorative purposes.
The Greater East Asia War refers to Japan’s military campaign in the Far East and Pacific theatres during World War II, now commonly referred to as the Pacific War. It began on December 7, AD 1941, when Japan launched a surprise attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbour, inflicting significant losses on the American Pacific Fleet and marking the beginning of the Pacific War. Subsequently, Japan embarked on a large-scale expansion campaign in the Pacific region, occupying various territories in Southeast Asia, Pacific islands, and additional territories in China.
However, as the war continued, the Allied forces, led by the United States, launched counteroffensives and gradually suppressed Japan’s power on the battlefield. As the war progressed, the Allies initiated a series of counterattacks against Japan’s occupation in the Pacific region, including a sequence of naval battles and island campaigns such as the Battle of Midway, the Battle of Guam, and the Battle of Iwo Jima. On August 6 and August 9, AD 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, marking the first and only use of nuclear weapons against civilian targets in history. The deployment of these atomic bombs resulted in massive destruction and casualties, forcing the Japanese government to face reality. Eventually, on August 15 of the same year, Japan announced unconditional surrender.
物件編號: M116
年代: 公元 1944-2000 年
材質: 錫
XRF分析結果
銀
7.99%
鉑
0.476%
鋅
32.73%
銅
58.81%
尺寸: 盒 103.6 x 55.2 x 25.0 / 獎章 30.4 x 78.0 x 2.3 mm