1900 Lesher Life Saving Medal

Coin Details

Auction Record

$56 MS64 02-07-2021 eBay

Description

The 1900 Lesher Life Saving Medal is a unique piece created by altering an original 1900 Lesher Referendum Dollar. The lower half of the obverse was tooled off — removing the original inscriptions — and hand-engraved with "Life Saving Medal / For Yen / From Crew of 1900." This conversion transformed a standard Lesher Dollar into a personal recognition award, presented to someone named "Yen" for a life-saving act performed by an unidentified crew during the year 1900. The specific circumstances of the life-saving event and the identity of the recipient remain undocumented, adding an element of historical mystery to this already unusual piece. The Cripple Creek mining district, where Lesher's pieces circulated, was a dangerous environment where mine accidents, fires, and other emergencies were common. The phrase "From Crew of 1900" indicates the medal was presented by a group — a mine crew, fire brigade, or other organized team — to honor an individual's heroic actions. This piece is not a separate Hibler-Kappen variety but rather a unique alteration of an existing Lesher Dollar, making it a one-of-a-kind artifact that bridges the numismatic significance of Lesher's Referendum Dollars with the personal history of Colorado's mining communities. The hand-engraved conversion demonstrates how Lesher's silver pieces were valued and repurposed by their owners for commemorative purposes beyond simple commerce.

Rarity Notes

Unique. A single 1900 Lesher Dollar converted into a life-saving recognition medal by hand-engraving over the original obverse inscriptions.

Cross References

PCGS #19021