Mark M on Japanese Orders and Medals: Who and When

Mark M was used by Japanese Mint during 1930s and early 1940s.

M for Mint.

The earliest currently known time coordinate of mark M - March 1930.
The latest - April 6, 1943.

Showa Enthronement Commemorative Medal.

Luckily for us, dated packages can be found in the boxes of these medals.




On all the packages that accompany the Showa medals with the M mark we will find

造幣局製 - made by the Mint



and date

昭和五年参月 - March 1930



The next medal made by Mint and marked b M will be Imperial Capital Reconstruction Commemorative Medal that was established in August 1930.

The lowest known date on paper wrappers for these medals 昭和六年二月- February 1931.

Again in the lower left corner

造幣局製 - made by the Mint

These two medals sets the lowest known time coordinates for mark M.

"Midterm" time coordinates can be found on Manchukuo order and medals marked with M.

Imperial Visit to Japan Commemorative Medal (established in 1935).

Inside the case for this medal

大日本帝國造幣局製 - made by the Empire of Japan Mint

Grand Order of the Orchid Blossom (established in 1934).

Order of the Auspicious Clouds (established in 1934).

Order of the Pillars of the State (established in 1936).



Finally the latest and 100% reliable time time coordinate for mark М known for today will be September 19, 1942 when so called "Labor" Kites (Badges for Diligent Labor) were introduced

Diligent Labor Badges a.k.a. "Industrial Warrior Golden Kite"/勤労章 勤労顕功章 別名「産業戦士の金鵄勲章」

Established on September 18, 1942 by Imperial Edict No. 652. 勤労顕功章 - Distinguished Diligent Labor Badge Size 48.27 mm. Weight 32.3 g. 勤労章 - Diligent Labor Badge Size 30 mm. Weight 14.5 g.

asiamedals.info

Mark M could be found on both classes.

together with cases that bear stamp

造幣局製 - made by Mint.

 

Another useful source of time coordinates for mark M - bars for medals of honor.

August 2, 1937

May 27, 1938



Case with the golden kanji.



First medal bar from September 13, 1938
Second from April 22, 1940
Both marked with M.

Case with golden kanji.

November 2, 1938

April 12, 1939.







Case with golden kanji.

August 17, 1939

September 21, 1939

November 15, 1939



December 18, 1939

Case with golden kanji.

March 1, 1940






October 28, 1940

Medal of Honor Golden and Silver Bars for Additional Awards/飾版褒章

Additional awards of the same Medal of Honor are represented by additional narrower silver bars, each engraved with the date of the award. For the sixth award an ornamental gold bar (made in gilded silver) without engraving is given in exchange for the last five silver bars that were awarded...

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June 11, 1941

 

Lower bar was issued on March 31, 1939.
Upper on June 3, 1942.




Two first bars are marked with M, bar from 1943 seems to be inmarked.
First was issued on September 14, 1940, second on March 28, 1941 and third bar issued on August 14, 1943.

July 3, 1941




January 14, 1942 (mark is barely visible)

Case with silver kanji.

January 24, 1942

Case with silver kanji.

February 23, 1942






March 20, 1942




August 19, 1942

September 9, 1942






September 25 , 1942

September 25, 1942





Case.



October 31, 1942



Mark М upside down.



Case with silver kanji.




March 5, 1943

March 9, 1943

April 6, 1943





Golden kanji on the lid if the case.




April 7, 1943

Case once again has golden kanji.

 

As for today, all known medal bars that belong to 1944+ time period are unmarked.

December 6, 1944 - unmarked.







August 24, 1944 - unmarked.

 

July 19, 1940 - marked M.
May 4, 1944 - umarked.

 

August 8, 1929 - unmarked.
March 12, 1941 - marked M.
March 31, 1944 - unmarked.

Medal of Honor Golden and Silver Bars for Additional Awards/飾版褒章

Additional awards of the same Medal of Honor are represented by additional narrower silver bars, each engraved with the date of the award. For the sixth award an ornamental gold bar (made in gilded silver) without engraving is given in exchange for the last five silver bars that were awarded...

asiamedals.info

February 2, 1940 - marked M.
January 14, 1942 - marked M.

 

May 27, 1944 unmarked.

Case with silver kanji.

 

Dated orders with mark M.


7th class Golden Kite and 8th class Rising Sun orders marked M awarded on August 7, 1932.

7th class Golden Kite and 8th class Rising Sun orders marked M awarded in 1932 for the Manchurian Incident

Classical posthumous group of awards for the Manchurian Incident /see also https://asiamedals.info/threads/6th-class-order-of-the-rising-sun-and-6th-class-order-of-the-auspicious-clouds-awarded-posthumous-to-army-doctor-of-1st-class-captain-in-1934.27924/ /. All awards were issued to the Army...

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1st class Sacred Treasure order marked M awarded on April 15, 1936.

1st class Order of the Sacred Treasure marked M awarded in 1936 to the Chief Judge of the Supreme Court of Japan Ikeda Torajirō

Torajiro Ikeda /池田寅二郎/ (November 20, 1879 - February 9, 1939) was a born in Saga prefecture. In 1903 he graduated from Tokyo Imperial University Law School, Department of English Law, and became an assistant judicial officer. In 1905 he became a judge of the Tokyo District Court, and...

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6th class Golden Kite order marked M awarded on August 4, 1938.

6th class Golden Kite order marked M awarded in 1938

issued on August 4, 1938. Document No. 171 552.

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3rd class Sacred Treasure order marked M awarded on January 14, 1938.

3rd class Sacred Treasure Order marked M issued on January 14, 1938

Badge. Case. Rosette.

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3rd class Sacred Treasure order marked M awarded on June 30, 1945.

3rd class Sacred Treasure order marked M order awarded in 1945

Assuming that the group is 100% authentic, this is the latest coordinate for the M mark on the actually issued Japanese order https://asiamedals.info/threads/mark-m-on-japanese-orders-and-medals-who-and-when.14818/ Certificate No. 1 765 103 issued on June 30, 1945 /only two months left...

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