1856 State Department Life Saving Medal. By Francis X. Koehler. Julian LS-2. Silver. Prooflike Mint State. 63.7 mm. 2097.7 grains. Holed through the top for suspension. Central reverse inscribed to the recipient THE / PRESIDENT / OF THE / UNITED STATES / TO / WILLIAM LEE / FOR HIS HUMANITY TOWARDS CITIZENS / OF THE UNITED STATES / 1856. A beautiful example, the obverse toned in deep silver gray and iridescent rose while the reverse is a lighter shade of gray with iridescent blue undertones in the center. Apart from the aforementioned hole, nearly as made save for a few light marks in the center of the inscription on the reverse. The Boddington plate medal, illustrated on page 17 of his indispensable <em>A Conquered Sea</em>. The recipient, William Lee, was a seaman aboard the British ship <em>Sarah</em> who rescued the crew of the American ship <em>Crusader</em> on December 23, 1856. Williams brother George Lee also received a silver LS-2 for this rescue. From our (Stacks) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part V, October 2004, lot 261. The plate medal in Boddingtons <em>A Conquered Sea</em>.
