Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
November 2015 Baltimore Auction - Sess. A-C 5-6 November 2015
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PHILIPPINES. Japanese Occupation. Homma Medal in Silver With Loop, 1942. EXTREMELY FINE.
35.54 mm (sans loop); 18.19 gms. Basso-150. Type I with plain edge and loop. By Clemente Zamora. Japanese soldier in combat gear facing away at center gazing at the island of Corregidor in distance with commemorative legend above; Reverse: Two palm tress with fronds at top, four stars at center and filling the fields is a poem which Basso credits General Homma with writing. The only silver piece known to be struck with dies SB(3) from the Czahor survey being notable in many respects from other dies with the inclusion of the initials "CZ" in the grass to the soldier's right which would reasonably be assumed to be referencing Zamora the engraver. The obverse also features medium sized characters in the obverse legend and the waves between the foreground and the distant hilltops are represented by simple horizontal lines rather than the more realistic representation on other examples. Of note as well is the hard horizon line forming the base of Corregidor and the Bataan Peninsula which is much more distinct here. Whether these simplified designs and the inclusion of the engraver's initials denotes this as an earlier piece contemporary to the initial issuance or as a slightly later piece struck as a souvenir by the medalist is unknown. The reverse too shows differences from other examples with the trunks of the palm trees bearing more bands and the calligraphy of the poem is a bit heavier than other pieces. Well struck, contact marks in fields but nothing to affect the overall eye appeal, signs of handling at the high points, lightly toned. Suspension loop very similar in appearance to others but with slightly more obvious solder marks. EXTREMELY FINE.
From the Ray Czahor collection.
Estimate: $350.00- $500.00
35.54 mm (sans loop); 18.19 gms. Basso-150. Type I with plain edge and loop. By Clemente Zamora. Japanese soldier in combat gear facing away at center gazing at the island of Corregidor in distance with commemorative legend above; Reverse: Two palm tress with fronds at top, four stars at center and filling the fields is a poem which Basso credits General Homma with writing. The only silver piece known to be struck with dies SB(3) from the Czahor survey being notable in many respects from other dies with the inclusion of the initials "CZ" in the grass to the soldier's right which would reasonably be assumed to be referencing Zamora the engraver. The obverse also features medium sized characters in the obverse legend and the waves between the foreground and the distant hilltops are represented by simple horizontal lines rather than the more realistic representation on other examples. Of note as well is the hard horizon line forming the base of Corregidor and the Bataan Peninsula which is much more distinct here. Whether these simplified designs and the inclusion of the engraver's initials denotes this as an earlier piece contemporary to the initial issuance or as a slightly later piece struck as a souvenir by the medalist is unknown. The reverse too shows differences from other examples with the trunks of the palm trees bearing more bands and the calligraphy of the poem is a bit heavier than other pieces. Well struck, contact marks in fields but nothing to affect the overall eye appeal, signs of handling at the high points, lightly toned. Suspension loop very similar in appearance to others but with slightly more obvious solder marks. EXTREMELY FINE.
From the Ray Czahor collection.
Estimate: $350.00- $500.00