Reproduction "Victory" Medal

[zachb]

Just a heads up. Its really not a good copy but I just wanted to let everyone know, if you didn't already:

http://www.monarchmilitaria.co.uk/JA...RY%20MEDAL.htm

At a glance you can see the details are bad, the color of the medal itself is off (and egg shaped), the ribbon is way off, clasp, and of course the suspension ring is the dead give a way. Are their better copies out there? Is their any truth to the rumor that the French made a version of this medal in the early 20th century (around the time of issue)?

Zach

[AndrewK]

Very true about the ribbon. It's interesting that each country produced a slightly different style "rainbow" ribbon for their WWI Victory Medals.

[zachb]

Searching through old posts, I noted that the link in this thread was no longer working.

So that one might have a picture of a fake Japanese Victory medal here is the picture which was featured on the site:


fake Japanese victory medal.jpg

[kaigunair]

very interesting zach. I wonder why they are repro'ng this medal. if I'm not mistaken, originals aren't hard to come by and aren't too expensive. shouldn't they repro things like the formosa rebellion or the nomohan incident?

[zachb]

very interesting zach. I wonder why they are repro'ng this medal. if I'm not mistaken, originals aren't hard to come by and aren't too expensive. shouldn't they repro things like the formosa rebellion or the nomohan incident?

I wondered myself, just glad that hasn't really happened (faking other campaign and commemoratives). As to the WWI Victory medal being reproduced, all I can figure is that as a "crossover" (for those who collect all victory medals) there might have been or may be more demand for this medal.

[b-m-n_animal]

I thought that this was quite a rare medal? maybe it's just hard to find over in england. but then most japanese stuff is.

[AndrewK]

They average about $100-150, so there is some money to be made in them.

[Tim B.]

They average about $100-150, so there is some money to be made in them.

Yes, I never really understood why the prices always seem to go near or over the $100. mark as they are far from scarce, even with original balsa wood cases in near mint condition.

I notice there always seems to be a couple individuals that bid the prices up on the ones sold on ebay, so maybe they are trying to corner the market or just want to increase the value of their collection pieces.
Either way, if you want one, they are easy to find.

As far as the reproduction issue; Victory Medals in general have always been popular with collectors and I think you can find good and bad copies of almost every country that had one, even fakes of countries that didn't produce any, such as Poland. All those Polish victory medals are total fantasy pieces that started coming out circa early 1980's.

As far as the French reproduction of the Japanese medal; yes they exist and I would personally think of it as a period reproduction, vice modern copy. The French have for several years manufactured all kinds of medals, both for their own country as well as many foreign countries. At one point in time, they were the leading manufacturers of ODM's for the world.

The French version of the Japanese WWI Victory Medal looks very similar, except it utilizes a "ball" type suspension where the original Japanese medals use a "barrel" shape suspension. The details on the medal are slightly smaller or less defined as well. Also, keep in mind the Japanese medals use the hook & eye type ribbon attachment, where the French one does not. Some may even have "Made in France" stamped on the edge of the medal.

Hope that helps
Tim

[Tim B.]

Probably should have added a couple of PICS to help those that don't know what to look for or terms used.
Tim

Here's one in the case. The box is balsa wood:

[Tim B.]

The front & back with discussed areas noted.
Tim

[Kryptos]

very interesting zach. I wonder why they are repro'ng this medal. if I'm not mistaken, originals aren't hard to come by and aren't too expensive. shouldn't they repro things like the formosa rebellion or the nomohan incident?

I have always seen the sense in copying the cheaper items. Noobs (like me) will be far more willing to buy them whilst the ultra rare attracts more seasoned collectors. A strength in numbers thing.