Order of the Rising Sun 5th Class Value Guide

Established by Emperor Meiji in 1875, the Order of the Rising Sun was Japan's first national decoration. The 5th Class, known as Gold and Silver Rays, is a highly sought-after WWII-era collectible originally awarded to military officers and civil servants for distinguished service.

What Is Order of the Rising Sun 5th Class Worth?

The typical price range for Order of the Rising Sun 5th Class is $225 - $250 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the white enamel rays, as chips or cracks significantly reduce the $225-$250 market value.
• Presence of the original wooden or lacquer presentation box and the watered silk ribbon.
• The preservation of the gold plating on the silver paulownia leaf and ray edges.
• Historical provenance or documentation linking the medal to a specific recipient from the 1937-1945 period.

How to Identify Order of the Rising Sun 5th Class?

• Look for the central red enamel sunburst cabochon surrounded by eight distinct points of white enamel rays.
• Verify the paulownia leaf suspension, which should be crafted from silver with specific gold plating details.
• Examine the reverse side for the four archaic kanji characters which translate to 'Order of Merit Decoration'.
• Check for the specific 1937-1945 era construction, typically featuring silver base metal with high-quality kiln-fired enamel.

History of Order of the Rising Sun 5th Class

Established by Emperor Meiji in 1875, this was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government. The 5th Class, or Gold and Silver Rays, was historically awarded to military officers and civil servants for distinguished service to the nation. It represents the energy of the rising sun and the imperial crest of the Paulownia leaf.