This is a fine piece of history from a Civil War veteran. It is an original membership medal of a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. This was the veteran's organization of the Union veterans of the Civil War. In order to become a member of the organization you had to prove that you served honorably for the United States during the war. This is the medal that the veteran would have gotten after his service was proven. It has the top bar that has the eagle perched on top of a pair of crossed cannon with cannonballs below. On the reverse it has the original pin remaining. This one has the original flag ribbon attached with a nice look to the cloth. On the flag ribbon it has the piece that was made to look like an officer's shoulder board insignia. This lets us know that it was worn by an officer in the G.A.R. The silver leaf design was the rank of major during the war and during the veteran time frame it was worn by either a Senior Vice-Post Commander, Assistant Inspector General or an Aide-de-Camp to Department Commanders according to the Johnson and Floyd book on G.A.R. Medals. The lower medallion is the Medal of Honor design with the G.A.R. seal in the center. Around the edge it has the images of the different branches of service that were the anchor, horn, cannon, rifle and saber. On the back of the medallion it has the images of the Union shield center surrounded by all of the different corps badges. This one has the stamped issue number on the side of the star designed lower medallion. This one is very nice and will enhance any collection.