June 12-13, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/13/2019
The Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society is known world over for presenting medals to those who risk their own lives to save others from hazards. The Society formed in 1839 and has awarded over 9000 medals for such events as shipwrecks, fires, and other associated medals for those who died during rescue and a general purpose award. This example is a Marine Medal given to Charles Tompkins in 1852 for his work saving the crew of the Jessie Stevens in 1852 during a storm. The rim of the coin has collar that is inscribed: "To Charles Tompkins, 3rd Officer of the U.S.M.S Pacific for assisting in saving the Crew of the Jessie Stevens during a Gale in the Atlantic 4th Dec 1852". Research confirms that on December 4th, 1852, a ship named the Jesse Stevens, under the command of Captain John Russell was beset by a midocean gale while en route to Glasgow. Just before the Jesse Stevens sank, the Pacific arrived and deployed lifeboats, saving every man on board. On obverse of medal is a depicting of a man rescuing a woman and her child from drowning amongst a shipwreck with "LORD, SAVE US: WE PERISH" in arc on top. Reverse depicts a hen cormorant in a wreath of oak leaves with an olive branch in beak. Around the rim is "LIVERPOOL SHIPWRECK AND HUMAN SOCIETY 1839". CONDITION: Coin is fair, with throat bearing inscription coming loose. Some areas of design have softened overtime and there are a few areas of patination. Obverse has numerous nicks and slashes to the design. Housed in an unmarked box with a hook and eye clasp and cutout for coin.
Item Dimensions: BOx: 3 - 1/2" x 3 - 1/2".