Grand army of the republic medal

[cajundetector]

Found about a year before I joined TN. Grand army of republic metal. Probably my best and only civil war related find. Found along the back fence of a turn of century homesite where I found a thimble and some old med bottles. I have always been suspect of it though, can’t figure out why someone would toss that with the rest of the trash unless it’s a replica. Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks!

 

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[Blackfoot58]

Could it have gotten cleaned out after a hurricane clean-up? That could explain how it got tossed.
Please show photo of the backside.

 

[pepperj]

From the online photos of the same medal it looks like it's the real thing.
That back should show where the attachment pin was attached also.

Possible that it was tossed as it was a reminder of the war, and tossing it was a way to rid oneself of those memories.
Nice recovery BTW

 

[cajundetector]

Could it have gotten cleaned out after a hurricane clean-up? That could explain how it got tossed.
Please show photo of the backside.

Thanks BF! It’s definitely plausible. This area is hurricane central. Will take backside photo. Thanks again.

 

[cajundetector]

From the online photos of the same medal it looks like it's the real thing.
That back should show where the attachment pin was attached also. View attachment 2096513
Possible that it was tossed as it was a reminder of the war, and tossing it was a way to rid oneself of those memories.
Nice recovery BTW

Thanks pepper! Never thought of that, does make sense. Will submit photo of back

 

[djackson7348]

Maybe stored in a box and then owner passed away. Someone cleaning up might have just tossed it?

 

[villagenut]

Just because we find something in a trash pit doesn't mean it was tossed.......could have been simply lost. Rings and dentures and all sorts not-meant-to toss items can be found in trash pits or in the vicinity of them...?

 

[scruggs]

Very nice medal you found congrats!

 

[cajundetector]

Very nice medal you found congrats!

Thank you!!

 

[Rmeav8r]

Nice find. The GAR organizations had chapters in every state. The GAR in the heydays had reunions and huge gatherings all over the north and south. There's even a GAR Union Soldier statue in my hometown of Lynn Haven FL. It was a town started and populated by elderly Civil War veterans, mostly from northern states. Main Street is Ohio Ave, with NY, PA, MI, IL as the center of the original town. Several of my detecting buddies have found GAR items....I'm envious! Again nice find!

 

[cajundetector]

Nice find. The GAR organizations had chapters in every state. The GAR in the heydays had reunions and huge gatherings all over the north and south. There's even a GAR Union Soldier statue in my hometown of Lynn Haven FL. It was a town started and populated by elderly Civil War veterans, mostly from northern states. Main Street is Ohio Ave, with NY, PA, MI, IL as the center of the original town. Several of my detecting buddies have found GAR items....I'm envious! Again nice find!

Thanks for the insight!

 

[dave_e]

Look carefully around the edge for the serial number of the medal.

 

[xr7ator]

My guess is it was attached to old clothing that was incinerated with the rest of the trash back in the day. I find lots of stuff that, I believe, was the result of ash spreading after the incinerator was full and needed emptied. Buttons, old tubes of toothpaste, made of lead I believe....etc. Rings and dentures were also thrown out with the trash back in the day.
Greats on the keeper and LUCK next time out.

 

[cajundetector]

My guess is it was attached to old clothing that was incinerated with the rest of the trash back in the day. I find lots of stuff that, I believe, was the result of ash spreading after the incinerator was full and needed emptied. Buttons, old tubes of toothpaste, made of lead I believe....etc. Rings and dentures were also thrown out with the trash back in the day.
Greats on the keeper and LUCK next time out.

Thank you!! Really appreciate the reply!

 

[cajundetector]

Look carefully around the edge for the serial number of the medal.

Will do. I a

Look carefully around the edge for the serial number of the medal.

will do! Thank you!