1921 State Department Life Saving Medal. First Class. By George T. Morgan. Julian LS-3. Gold. About Uncirculated. 35.0 mm. 587.7 grains, .900 fine, 528.9 grains AGW. Pinback brooch suspension with E PLURIBUS UNUM on header in matte and glossy finish, attached to medal via the original clawfoot hanger. D-X-X lightly scratched on back of header. Reverse inscribed to the recipient TO T. ARNOLD / SEAMAN / OF THE BRITISH STEAMSHIP AGAPENOR, / IN RECOGNITION OF HIS HEROIC / SERVICES IN EFFECTING THE RESCUE / AT SEA, ON JANUARY 23, 1921, / OF THE MASTER AND CREW / OF THE AMERICAN BARKENTINE CARIOCA. A rare and desirable governmental lifesaving award, its surfaces glossy and reflective, with the usual light hairlines as seen on almost all of these lifesaving awards that were meant to be worn on the breast. This particular issue holds the distinction of being the only gold Mint medal struck in .900 fine gold, as used on the standard coinage, while other issues were generally in pure gold.<p>The following blurb outlining the rescue of the <em>Carioca</em> and the awarding of these State Department gold medals appeared in the <em>New York Times</em> of May 21, 1921:<p><em>"Washington, May 20. On behalf of President Harding and the Government of the United States, the State Department is forwarding to the British Foreign Office, through the American Embassy at London, for distribution, testimonials which have been awarded to master and second officer and certain members of the crew of the British steamer </em>Agapenor<em> for their heroism in rescuing the crew of the American barkentine </em>Carioca<em> of New Orleans off the coast of Crete last January. In recognition of the services rendered by the rescuers, a gold watch and chain is being awarded to James W. Clark, master of the </em>Agapenor<em>; a first-grade binocular to P. Purkiss, second officer, and medals to W. Wiles, boatswain; T. Keans, lamp trimmer; R. Russell, carpenter; A. Watkins, J. Hayden, W. Graham, W. White, A. Lawrence and T. Arnold, seamen. Each of the testimonials bears an engraved statement of the circumstances of the rescue. At 4.45pm on Jan. 23 the </em>Agapenor<em> sighted the </em>Carioca<em>, with seven feet of water in her hold, the pumps choked and much of the rigging lost. The </em>Carcioca<em> had been in a hopeless condition for three days, and was rolling violently in the trough of the sea, with waves breaking over her. The wind was increasing in violence, with a fast-rushing sea. Under these conditions, all on board the </em>Carioca<em> were rescued."</em> From our Baltimore Auction of November 2017, lot 198.
