Physical Description

A smooth circular medal with a raised edge, constructed of gold. The obverse features the right-facing head of King Albert with the circular inscription ‘ALBERT KOENIG VON SACHSEN’. At the bottom is the stamp cutter’s signature ‘M. BARDULECK FEC.’. The reverse features the inscription ‘FÜR LEBENS=RETTUNG’ (‘for life saving’), surrounded by an oak leaf wreath that is cross-tied by a ribbon at the top and bottom. On a loop for suspension, on a white ribbon.

History

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 IV (1874-1902) medals feature the portrait of King Albert on the obverse. The reverse inscription reads "FÜR LEBENSRETTUNG" (for life saving). The die cutter's signature is "M. Barduleck Fec.".

The Gold Medal consists of eight ducats. Only nine were minted. The medals were awarded on December 10, 1873 by the ministry of the interior and delivered on August 5, 1874.