PHILIPPINES. Japanese Occupation. Silver Homma Medal, ND (1942). By: C. Zamora. PCGS Genuine--Mount Removed, AU Details Gold Shield.Honeycutt-310; Basso-150; Czahor-SB(1) Obverse/SB(4) Reverse. Type I, plain edge. Variety with two distinct blades of grass leaning left between soldiers leg and pole on the obverse, palm frond sequence: 13-4-6-11-8, star near the 16th band of the first tree. Struck to commemorate the fall of Bataan and Corregidor by General Masaharu Homma, the Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Armed Forces. Obverse: Japanese soldier in combat gear facing away at center, gazing at the hills of Bataan and island of Corregidor in background; Reverse: Two palm trees, stars in middle, Japanese characters throughout field. The Japanese characters are a poem to pay tribute to soldiers who died in combat and credits General Masaharu Homma in writing. A very well struck example far superior than normally encountered with AU-55 details (our grade) displaying light friction to the high points. VERY RARE in this state of preservation and nicer than the other example in this sale with the same details designation. The obverse features medium golden grey tone with attractive concentric iridescent hues that pop out when tilted in the light. While the reverse displays mottled medium to dark grey patina. A very popular type seldom encountered in this high grade certain to see spirited bidding.From the Pasig River Collection.
