I have always had quite an interest in the ribboned medals issued by Japan. The first medal was issued in 1874 commemorating Japan's involvement in the China War of 1874. The last was issued in 1944 commemorating the Great East Asia War. The first medal is extremely rare whereas the last is also rare as very few were actually issued. Amongst this small but interesting series of 23 different are 2 enthronement medals.
































The first medal was issued for the enthronement of Yoshihito / Taisho Era in November 1915. Struck in silver it measures 30.41 mm in diameter with a large gold Imperial Seal at top center above two draped banners and comes in a wooden box.
































The second type was issued for the enthronement of Hirohito /Showa Era in November 1928. Also struck in silver it measures 30.32 mm in diameter having a small gold Imperial Seal at center on an altar and comes in a paper covered wooden box.

Recently I purchased a group of eight different Japanese ribboned medals on e-Bay from a vender with an FPO address at a rather decent price. While checking further with a friend who is also an OMSA member he told me that apparantly a stash of these medals has turned up in Japan and released into the collector's marketplace. A great time to buy as they most likely will be quickly absorbed by collectors worldwide.