Though different than the privately commissioned medals of Tiffany for various ocean shipborn heroics, these two medals were officially awarded by our government to members of the United States Lifesaving Service. Having been a member of the Coast Guard such medals are of my personal interest.

Date of Rescue: 29 NOV 1909
Station: Cape Hatteras LSS, NC
Date of Award: 6 December 1911
Awardee(s): B. B. Miller

Date of Rescue: 29 NOV 1909
Station: Creed's Hill LSS, NC
Date of Award: 6 December 1911
Awardee(s): E. H. Peel

I was offered this very medal via email by P. Edwards, the British jewelery firm owner after e-Sylum member John Sallay heard from him and referred him to me. I offered $2,200 US several months ago when gold was lower.

The medal was singularly unimpressive as it had an undesirable matte finish and was not at all rare in silver or gold. I've owned five in gold (and seen perhaps 10 in gold) and my 1853 and 1858 gold specimens are pictured, along with a great many other medals, on John Sallay's www.neocollect.com website.

All five that I've owned were pre- 1907 (the medal was first issued in 1849) with the much more desirable prooflike fields. Matte fields - as with this 1911 gold medal - are considered undesirable by many collectors as that is the modern finish seen on so many medals. A matte finish gold 1926 NY Benevolent Lifesaving medal was for sale at the Los Angeles ANA bourse and finally sold for about $3000.