Life Saving Medals

"1849" Life Saving Benevolent Association of New York Medal. By George Hampden Lovett. Silver. About Uncirculated, Bent.

51.1 mm. 915.0 grains. Obv: Sailing ship foundering in storm, House of Refuge on shore dispatches rescuers in life boat while others fire a lifeline from a Lyle Gun on the beach. Rev: Oak wreath at border, inscription VITA FELICIBUS AUSIS SERVATA above. Unawarded, so the central reverse is blank. Slightly bent with scattered handling marks in the open field areas, this piece still presents exceptionally well. Much of the prooflike finish remains, the surfaces attractively toned with iridescent undertones of golden-blue and pinkish-apricot to warmer steel-olive and silver-gray patina.

Estimate: 700