"1849" Gold Medal Life Saving Medal 51mm LSBA of New York

Coin Details

Description

This 51mm gold medal was issued by the Life Saving Benevolent Association of New York, an organization founded in 1849 to recognize acts of heroism in lifesaving along the New York waterfront and harbor. The LSBA awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals to individuals who risked their lives to save others from drowning or maritime disasters in the busy waters surrounding New York City. Gold medals represented the Association's highest honor, reserved for the most extraordinary acts of bravery. The 51mm diameter provided ample space for detailed engraving of maritime scenes and inscriptions identifying the recipient and the rescue being honored. The LSBA operated independently from the federal Life-Saving Service (later merged into the U.S. Coast Guard), functioning as a civic organization supported by New York's mercantile community. These medals are among the most historically significant private lifesaving awards in American numismatics, documenting individual acts of courage in an era when New York Harbor was one of the busiest and most dangerous waterways in the world.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Gold LSBA medals were individually struck for specific recipients and represent the rarest grade of the Association's awards. Few examples have reached the numismatic market.

Cross References

PCGS #969659; Life Saving Benevolent Association of New York