Found a cool GAR medal yesterday

[Steve in PA]

After a long, hot summer, I got out yesterday for a few hours. Nice day, not too hot, the ground was perfect from all the rain we had last week, and the grass in the cow pasture was shorter than it is in my back yard right now . I went to the old mid 19th century house site where I found two early one piece military buttons this spring. I have pounded that place to death and didn't find much there, but there is another late 1800s early 1900s house site about 150 yards away in the same pasture. I spent some time there yesterday and scored a GAR medal shaped like a star, a watch fob from a jeweler in Lock Haven, PA, a small crotel bell, a gilted Benedict & Burnham flower button, a couple flat buttons, and two "coppers" - 1909 and 1910 Lincoln cents - LOL.

The GAR metal is pretty cool. I can make out "Grand Army of the..." but "Republic" is illegible. Between 1861 and 1865 it says "Veteran". I just noticed this morning on closer examination that the back has all the corps badges of the union army encircling a federal shield.

 

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[jewelerguy]

very cool finds. I think that makes the 3rd or 4th GAR medal I've seen posted this year.

 

[{Sentinel}]

That is a Terrific Find Steve, and a BEAUTIFUL GREEN PATINA! Congratulations!

 

[VOL1266-X]

Steve, you have made a great start to fall hunting season. That G.A.R. medal is a beaut and that's a nice looking flower button. Wishing you a great fall hunting season, Quindy.

 

[Getty]

Excellent find! A great piece of history saved! Very nice relics as well.

 

[Tony (NC)]

That Medal is SWEET Steve....

Here is a non-dug one I have in my collection. Your's used to look like this.....Here is some information on your badge:

GAR Badge...
Here is a little history of the GAR badge:

The Grand Army Badge


The badge is of bronze, made from cannons captured in battle during the Civil War, and is in a form of a five-pointed star, similar in design to the two hundred Medals of Honor, authorized by an act of Congress to be given to the soldiers and sailors most distinguished for meritorious and gallant conduct during the Civil War.

THE OBVERSE -- in the center of the badge is the figure of the goddess of liberty, representing loyalty. On either side, a soldier and a sailor clasping hands, representing fraternity, and two children receiving benediction and assurance of protection from the comrades, representing charity. On each side of the group is the National Flag and the Eagle, representing freedom; and the axe, or bundle of rods, or fasco, representing Union. In each point of the star is the insignia of the various branches of service -- the bugle for infantry, the crossed cannons for artillery, the crossed muskets for marines, the crossed sabers for cavalry, and the anchor for the sailors. Over the central groups are the words "Grand Army of the Republic" and under "1861 -- Veterans -- 1866" commemorating the commencement and close of the rebellion and also the date of organization of the Order.

THE REVERSE SIDE represents a branch of laurel, the crown and reward of the brave, in each point of the star. The National Shield is in the center, surrounded by the twenty-four recognized Corps Badges, numerically arranged, each on a keystone and all linked together, showing they are united and will guard and protect the shield of the nation. Around the center is a circle of stars representing the states of the union comrpising the Grand Army of the Republic.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Very cool find Steve!

Just found this one for sale on eBay, currently at $62.

Dave

 

[Steve in PA]

Re: That Medal is SWEET Steve....

Here is a non-dug one I have in my collection. Your's used to look like this.....Here is some information on your badge:

GAR Badge...
Here is a little history of the GAR badge:

The Grand Army Badge


The badge is of bronze, made from cannons captured in battle during the Civil War, and is in a form of a five-pointed star, similar in design to the two hundred Medals of Honor, authorized by an act of Congress to be given to the soldiers and sailors most distinguished for meritorious and gallant conduct during the Civil War.

THE OBVERSE -- in the center of the badge is the figure of the goddess of liberty, representing loyalty. On either side, a soldier and a sailor clasping hands, representing fraternity, and two children receiving benediction and assurance of protection from the comrades, representing charity. On each side of the group is the National Flag and the Eagle, representing freedom; and the axe, or bundle of rods, or fasco, representing Union. In each point of the star is the insignia of the various branches of service -- the bugle for infantry, the crossed cannons for artillery, the crossed muskets for marines, the crossed sabers for cavalry, and the anchor for the sailors. Over the central groups are the words "Grand Army of the Republic" and under "1861 -- Veterans -- 1866" commemorating the commencement and close of the rebellion and also the date of organization of the Order.

THE REVERSE SIDE represents a branch of laurel, the crown and reward of the brave, in each point of the star. The National Shield is in the center, surrounded by the twenty-four recognized Corps Badges, numerically arranged, each on a keystone and all linked together, showing they are united and will guard and protect the shield of the nation. Around the center is a circle of stars representing the states of the union comrpising the Grand Army of the Republic.

Hey Tony, thanks for the info on my GAR badge. I was wondering about the symbolism in the image on the front. Nice to see one in non dug condition. Speaking of GAR Badges, check out this one I eyeballed on the surface of a bottle dump when I was a teenager.

 

[Steve in PA]

Very cool find Steve!

Just found this one for sale on eBay, currently at $62.

Dave

Thanks Dave, and thanks for the image of a non dug one.

 

[johnnyblaze]

Killer relic hunt of a day man

Those are my kind of hunts


Blaze

 

[civilman1]

Beautiful dig's Steve.....the GAR Badge is awesome

 

[vanoldschool]

Aweaome!!

 

[umrgolf]

Awesome find, Steve