Life Saving, Police and Fire Brigade Medals from the James N Spencer Collection

Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services), V.R., small, silver, ‘From the British Government, For Gallantry and Humanity in Saving the Crew of the Ocean Queen 1858’ (Carl Peschke) edge bruising, heavily polished and worn, rare £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Life Saving, Police and Fire Brigade Medals from the James N Spencer Collection.

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The Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services) was instituted in 1841. Originally a special reverse was struck for each occasion. This was found to be unnecessarily expensive and so in 1849 medals with a standard reverse were introduced and medals with a special reverse were struck only occasionally thereafter. In 1854 the medal was reduced in diameter from a 58mm. presentation medal to a 32mm. medal with suspension suitable for wearing. The above is an example of a rare small type medal with specially struck reverse.