★ The Wreck of the Casper ★

Life Saving AV Medal. 20th century AD. Philadelphia mint. Presented to A. Mölder for actions during the sinking of the American ship Casper, 23 December 1928. Designs by George T. Morgan. The Wreck of the Casper, 23 December 1928

Life Saving AV Medal. 20th century AD. Philadelphia mint. Presented to A. Mölder for actions during the sinking of the American ship Casper, 23 December 1928. Designs by George T. Morgan. PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, wreathed and diademed head of Liberty to left, star below, small M on truncation / Engraved: To A • MÖLDER. SEAMAN OF THE ESTONIAN STEAMSHIP METEOR, IN RECOGNITION OF THE HEROIC SERVICES IN EFFECTING THE RESCUE AT SEA, ON DECEMBER 23, 1928, OF THE MASTER AND CREW OF THE AMERICAN STEAMSHIP. CASPER. in thirteen lines, all within wreath. Suspended from bar decorated with shield and E · PLUR S UNUM. Julian LS-3. 33.91gr, 35.5mm, 12h. Near Extremely Fine. Few hairlines, minor edge marks and scratches. Struck in standard (.900) gold with pin-back suspender.

Ex Classical Numismatic Review XLIX.2, Summer 2024, 5653806 (company's tickets included).Acquired on the North American art market. Ex Property of a County Durham collector. New York Times (25 December 1928) copy of article included.

From CNR note: 'On 13 December 1928, the American steamship Casper, en route from New York to Gothenburg, Sweden, ran aground on rocks near Utö Light in Pargas, Finland. The crew remained aboard, hoping to dislodge and refloat the vessel. On the 23rd, a fire broke out in the ship’s engine room. The flames spread with such great speed that there was no time to lower the boats, and the crew was forced to jump into the cold Baltic waters. One fireman drowned, while the remainder were picked up by salvage vessels that had been standing by.'