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May 07 2024

Newman Portal Search Hints

Newman Portal searches from the home page are exact text only. If you enter multiple words, it will search for that entire phrase.

If you wish to search for multiple terms all one page, but not in exact order, use the search form at https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/powersearchform. For example, if you wish to locate pages containing the words "Washington," "medal," "birth," and "centennial," enter the search:

ItemContent:Washington AND ItemContent:medal AND ItemContent:birth AND ItemContent:centennial

You can also use Google to search the Newman Portal site. From Google, enter, for example:

"washington medals" site:nnp.wustl.edu

Finally, you can search the Newman Portal document repository directly (https://archive.org/details/newmannumismatic), which, in some cases, will deliver additional results. On this page, check the box "Select text contents" before searching.

For additional assistance, please email us at NNPCurator@wustl.edu.

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May 23 2025

Memorial Day & The Grand Army Republic

Memorial Day originated in the aftermath of the American Civil War as a solemn day of remembrance for those who died in military service. Initially known as Decoration Day, it began informally when citizens across the country began decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. The first widely recognized observance occurred on May 30, 1868, when General John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)—a fraternal organization composed of Union veterans—issued General Order No. 11, designating the day for "strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country." This act formalized the practice and established a tradition that quickly spread across Northern states.

The Grand Army of the Republic played a crucial role in institutionalizing Memorial Day as a national observance. As a powerful and politically influential veterans' organization, the GAR organized annual ceremonies, lobbied for public recognition, and helped entrench the day's meaning in American civic life. Through parades, speeches, and grave-decorating rituals, the GAR used Memorial Day to honor the Union cause, assert the moral legacy of the Civil War, and promote patriotism. Over time, the observance evolved to commemorate all American military personnel who died in service, but its roots remain firmly planted in the post-Civil War efforts of the GAR and its mission to preserve the memory of those who fought to preserve the Union.


Numismatically, the Grand Army commissioned a series of medals, most notably issues related to annual encampments that occurred throughout the country. In the first two issues of the 2012 TAMS Journal, David Schenkman provided an overview of souvenirs related to the 1892 Washington, D.C. encampment. GAR membership and officer badges are frequently offered along with the medals. The Grand Army series includes standalone issues, such as a 1909 Lincoln birth centennial medal.


Link to TAMS Journal on NNP: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/publisherdetail/515304
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May 17 2025

Newman Portal Adds Half Crazy

Recently added to Newman Portal is the latest issue of Half Crazy, the electronic publication of the Seated Half Society. The Bill Bugert volumes on the Liberty Seated Half Dollar (1839-1891) die varieties, first appearing in 2010, have spurred interest in this long running 19th century American series. Although the set consists of over a thousand die marriages, these coins were produced in large quantities, and many varieties are available at accessible prices. 


The current issue of Half Crazy includes an interview with John Dannreuther on proof coinage, a call for census information on the 1849 Doubled Date and 1873 No Arrows Open 3 varieties, and an overview of the 1841-O “baseball crack” reverse. Half Crazy is edited by Dennis Fortier and is issued quarterly. To subscribe, contact Dennis at ricajun@msn.com.


Link to Half Crazy on Newman Portal: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/publisherdetail/548913
Link to Bill Bugert publications on Newman Portal: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/booksbyauthor/361
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