Cased Inner Mongolia National Foundation Medal, WWII

Rare medal awarded from 1939 to individuals who contributed to the establishment of the Unified Mongolian Autonomous Government (Mengjiang), an entity that existed between 1939 and 1945 under strong Japanese military control.

The obverse of the medal depicts a shepherd leading his flock of sheep across the steppe, with a yurt visible in the right background. The rim is decorated with dragons, symbols of protection, and clouds, symbols of prosperity. Above the flock appear gilt Chinese characters meaning “Merit,” flanked on the left and right by their equivalent in the Mongolian language.

The reverse bears, on the right, the inscription “National Foundation Merit Medal,” accompanied by the date “Genghis Khan Era, Year 734, Month 9, Day 1” (September 1, 1939), and on the left its equivalent in the Mongolian language.

The ribbon, with a striped pattern, reflects the colors of the Mengjiang government flag.

The medal is accompanied by its original lacquered wooden case, bearing the inscription “National Foundation Merit Medal” in Japanese and Mongolian.

Condition: rare medal in good overall condition. A few moth holes are present in the case, visible in the last photograph, as well as on the reverse of the ribbon.