Physical Description

A smooth circular medal with a raised border, constructed of silver. The obverse features the right-facing portrait Duke Alfred with the circular inscription ‘ALFRED HERZOG VON SACHSEN COBURG UND GOTHA’. Below the neck is the manufacturer’s signature ‘LAUER’. To the right of the eyelet is a silver mark in the form of a crescent, a crown, and the number ‘0,990’. The reverse features a rue wreath, with the inscription ‘FÜR RETTUNG VON MENSCHENLEBEN’ (‘for saving of human lives’) in the centre. On a loop for suspension, on a green ribbon with narrow white side stripes.
A variant with the silver mark ‘SILBER 990’ exists.

History

The Life Saving Medal, Type II was instituted by Duke Alfred of Saxony-Coburg and Gotha in 1895, informally without statutes. It was awarded to those who had saved others from mortal danger by risking their own lives.

The medal was manufactured by L. Chr. Lauer in Nuremberg.