Life Saving Medal, Type III, in Silver (Schmilka version)
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 02.SXK.0117.102.01.001
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A smooth circular medal with a raised edge, constructed of silver. The obverse features the left-facing head of King Johann with the circular inscription ‘JOHANN V. G. G. KOENIG VON SACHSEN’ (‘Johann von Gottes Gnaden Koenig von Sachsen’ = ‘Johann by God’s Grace King of Saxony’). At the bottom is the stamp cutter’s signature ‘C. ULBRICHT F.’. The reverse features the inscription ‘ZUR ERINNERUNG AN D. GELUNGENE RETTUNGSWERK IM STEINBRUCHE BEI SCHMILKA D. 25-27. JAN. 1862’ (‘in memory of the successful rescue attempt in the quarry near Schmilka on January 25 to 27, 1862’), surrounded by an oak leaf wreath that is tied by a ribbon multiple times. At the bottom is the stamp cutter's signature 'E. U.'. On a loop for suspension, on a white ribbon.
Life Saving Medals were awarded to individuals who risked their lives to rescue a person in mortal danger. The medal was originally founded by King Anton and his co-regent Friedrich August.
The Kingdom of Saxony was the first German state to use wearable life saving medals, followed by Prussia in 1833 and Braunschweig in 1836.
The Type III (1854-1873) medals feature the portrait of King John on the obverse. The reverse inscription reads "FÜR LEBENSRETTUNG" (for life saving). The die was cut by C. Ulbricht.
In 1862, a disaster in the quarry of Schmilka occured, when 24 stone crushers fell from the wall. The rescue took 56 hours, and all the victims were saved. On March 15, 1862, King Johann decreed the rescue work was particularly well done, and a specific Silver Life Saving Medal was instituted for the parties involved.
This Schmilka avalanche version of the Silver Medal features the same obverse and reverse design as the normal Type III medals, but it features extra text added to the reverse inscription. The medal is stamped with the die cutter's name: Ernst Ulbricht.
A total of 92 were awarded.
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