Undated (1860-1874) State Department Life Saving Medal. By Salathiel Ellis, after Emmanuel Leutze. Julian LS-1. Bronze. MS-63 BN (NGC). 67 mm. Handsome light olive-brown patina with traces of underlying autumn-orange peering through. Satiny surfaces are smooth and approach full Gem quality, the in hand appearance actually close to pristine. All design elements are fully rendered, and the eye appeal is outstanding. Thirty four bronze medals of this type were struck for official use, as well as an unknown number of additional examples for sale to the public. Survivors are quite rare today, and few approach the quality offered here. The designer of this medal, Leutze, is best known for his famous painting of Washington crossing the Delaware.
