Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
November 2015 Baltimore Auction - Sess. A-C 5-6 November 2015
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PHILIPPINES. Japanese Occupation. Counterstamped Homma Medal in Silver, 1942. VERY FINE.
35.75 mm (sans loop); 22.70 gms. cf.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. From dies SB(7) on the Czahor survey. A curious piece which bears several differences from other examples of this first type, the most blatant being the addition of the letters "US CVP" being divided by the standing soldier. These initials most likely reference the United States Chinese Volunteers in the Philippines which was a guerrilla fighting force of Chinese nationals who were living in the Philippines at the outbreak of the Pacific War. Hastily assembled and armed with US weapons this group of about 150 men under the command of Vicente Lopez (nee Li Bocai) in December of 1941 with the goal of assisting in the safe evacuation of civilians and harassment of the invading Japanese for whom they had no sympathy. The piece weighs about four grams more than other Type I pieces and is two grams heavier than a contemporary Philippine Peso. Additionally the loop attached at the top is of different style than others seen of this type and indeed even in this offering. While the design of the dies is consistent with others of the time the reverse bears a considerable amount of "die rust" and surface dimpling while on the obverse some surface pitting and even some pimples can be observed including within the "S" which purports to be stamped into the surface. It is surmised then that this is a cast copy of an original piece which most likely did have the letters "US-CVP" added to the obverse. This may have been done shortly after the Philippines were retaken as a memento for members of the US CVP for their service and creating cast copies was the most practical method of producing enough pieces in a short amount of time. Whatever the case may be, the piece is quite intriguing and does have the look of being nearly contemporary with other examples. Examination is recommended if for no other reason than it is a very interesting medal referencing a little known fighting force in the Pacific Theater. Free of contact marks, with moderate handling wear on the relief portions. VERY FINE.
From the Ray Czahor collection.
Estimate: $350.00- $500.00
35.75 mm (sans loop); 22.70 gms. cf.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. From dies SB(7) on the Czahor survey. A curious piece which bears several differences from other examples of this first type, the most blatant being the addition of the letters "US CVP" being divided by the standing soldier. These initials most likely reference the United States Chinese Volunteers in the Philippines which was a guerrilla fighting force of Chinese nationals who were living in the Philippines at the outbreak of the Pacific War. Hastily assembled and armed with US weapons this group of about 150 men under the command of Vicente Lopez (nee Li Bocai) in December of 1941 with the goal of assisting in the safe evacuation of civilians and harassment of the invading Japanese for whom they had no sympathy. The piece weighs about four grams more than other Type I pieces and is two grams heavier than a contemporary Philippine Peso. Additionally the loop attached at the top is of different style than others seen of this type and indeed even in this offering. While the design of the dies is consistent with others of the time the reverse bears a considerable amount of "die rust" and surface dimpling while on the obverse some surface pitting and even some pimples can be observed including within the "S" which purports to be stamped into the surface. It is surmised then that this is a cast copy of an original piece which most likely did have the letters "US-CVP" added to the obverse. This may have been done shortly after the Philippines were retaken as a memento for members of the US CVP for their service and creating cast copies was the most practical method of producing enough pieces in a short amount of time. Whatever the case may be, the piece is quite intriguing and does have the look of being nearly contemporary with other examples. Examination is recommended if for no other reason than it is a very interesting medal referencing a little known fighting force in the Pacific Theater. Free of contact marks, with moderate handling wear on the relief portions. VERY FINE.
From the Ray Czahor collection.
Estimate: $350.00- $500.00