Sweet, nice piece of history you dug up there.
SWEEET!! Great relic!! Congrats!
Most GAR badges have a serial number on the edge of the star. Is this number traceable to a member?
Many trying to learn more about GAR badges in their collections think that the number stamped on the star pendant should be traceable, like the number on the badge of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS). Although the GAR had around 1/3 to 1/2 of the Union Army in its membership over the years (probably around 1 million men), it never cross-referenced or tracked the pendant numbers to members. The purpose of the number was simply to verify that the badges were authentic and had been purchased from the Quartermaster General, rather than from an unauthorized source. One of the duties of Department Inspectors was to check badges to verify that they were issued by headquarters. A discovery of a fake badge during an inspection could result in the dishonorable discharge of the GAR Comrade who wore it.
The numbering system used the first letter of the last name of the current Commander-in-Chief of the GAR, followed by a number (starting with 1 each year).
This might date it a bit
Based on the list of Commander in Chiefs you have three possible dates. You may never know who was awarded this medal, but one of these gentlemen touched it and presented it to the guy that lost it and now you found it and own it!! Pretty cool!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Grand_Army_of_the_Republic_Commanders-in-Chief
1882-83
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Vandervoort
or
1890-91
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelock_G._Veazey
or
1909-10
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Rinnah_Van_Sant
Dang it Bobby that is an EPIC find!!! Congratulations on the "Banner"!!!!!!
Ed
(07-24-2014 09:43 PM)ORon (CA) Wrote: [ -> ]SWEEET!! Great relic!! Congrats!
Most GAR badges have a serial number on the edge of the star. Is this number traceable to a member?
Many trying to learn more about GAR badges in their collections think that the number stamped on the star pendant should be traceable, like the number on the badge of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS). Although the GAR had around 1/3 to 1/2 of the Union Army in its membership over the years (probably around 1 million men), it never cross-referenced or tracked the pendant numbers to members. The purpose of the number was simply to verify that the badges were authentic and had been purchased from the Quartermaster General, rather than from an unauthorized source. One of the duties of Department Inspectors was to check badges to verify that they were issued by headquarters. A discovery of a fake badge during an inspection could result in the dishonorable discharge of the GAR Comrade who wore it.
The numbering system used the first letter of the last name of the current Commander-in-Chief of the GAR, followed by a number (starting with 1 each year).
This might date it a bit
Based on the list of Commander in Chiefs you have three possible dates. You may never know who was awarded this medal, but one of these gentlemen touched it and presented it to the guy that lost it and now you found it and own it!! Pretty cool!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Grand_Army_of_the_Republic_Commanders-in-Chief
1882-83
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Vandervoort
or
1890-91
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelock_G._Veazey
or
1909-10
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Rinnah_Van_Sant
Thanks for the info Ron! Like I said on the other forum, I live in NY so it could of been any of those guys.
(07-24-2014 10:20 PM)Ohio Dirt Fisher Wrote: [ -> ]Dang it Bobby that is an EPIC find!!! Congratulations on the "Banner"!!!!!!
Ed
Thanks Ed! I have never had a banner find yet. It feels good
Bobby, this is the kind of find that we as detectorists dream of! Someone put their life on the line, and was awarded this medal...and you found it all these years later!!! It's quite a personal item. Tells quite a story, and is one of the best relic pieces I've seen in a long time
After you get some more of the background info through research, you might want to submit that find to Lost Treasure magazine and Western & Eastern Treasure, as they would LOVE this piece!
Joe
What a Great find. Always wonderful to find a piece of America history.
DANG IT BOBBY!!! That thing is awesome. Congratulations on a banner find truly worthy.
Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I'm definitely going to try and find out who the guy was that got it. Even if I can't i still might try to submit it
That is very cool. Obviously you now know what you have. It is in absolutely stunning condition. Congratulations to you.
Thanks for sharing and congrats on the banner find!
Congrats on a find of a lifetime !