Life Saving Medals

1890 Life Saving Benevolent Association of New York Medal. By George Hampden Lovett. Silver. MS-62 (NGC).

51 mm. 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, enclosing hand-engraved inscription to the recipient PRESENTED TO / HERMAN HENSCHEN / IN RECOGNITION OF HIS COURAGE / AND HUMANITY IN SAVING / A MAN FROM DROWNING IN / THE HUDSON RIVER AT / FOOT OF HARRISON STREET / NEW YORK / AUGUST 20TH.. 1890. Warmly toned in pewter gray, blushes of bold steel-olive are scattered about the obverse periphery. A lengthy vertical scratch in the right obverse field explains the lower Mint State rating from NGC, although it is rather well concealed by the toning. With iridescent undertones and lively mint luster, this is a superior example for the assigned grade that is not all that far from Choice.

From Heritage's sale of the Twin Cities Collection of Medals, June 2016 Long Beach Signature Auction, lot 98432.

Estimate: 1000