Bidspirit auction | Grand Army of the Republic

Grand Army of the Republic Numbered Membership Medal Pendant Serial M25897 - This is a Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) membership medal pendant, struck in bronze or a similar copper alloy. The GAR was the preeminent fraternal organization for Union veterans of the American Civil War, active from 1866 to 1956. The obverse central medallion features a central figure of Columbia or Liberty protecting a kneeling soldier and sailor, with a child standing to the side. This scene is encircled by a border inscribed Grand Army of the Republic 1861-Veteran-1866. The five points of the star-shaped pendant contain various military insignias representing the branches of service: crossed cannons for artillery, crossed sabers for cavalry, an anchor for the navy, and a bugle for infantry. The fifth point features a trefoil, the badge of the Army of the Potomac Second Corps. The reverse central medallion displays a United States shield surrounded by a circular array of Union Army Corps badges. The points of the star on the reverse are decorated with sprigs of laurel and oak. The bottom edge of the medal is impressed with the serial number M25897. This item consists of the pendant portion only. The medal is in fair to good condition, exhibiting an aged patina consistent with its late 19th-century origin. Small spots of green verdigris oxidation are visible on the central medallions of both the obverse and reverse. The item is missing its original silk ribbon and the eagle-over-crossed-cannons top bar pin assembly. A contemporary metal wire has been looped through the suspension ring to serve as a makeshift pin. There is typical surface wear and softening of the struck details from historical handling.