British C.Q.D. (SOS) Life Saving Medal of 1909 Authentic

This Fine Item Has Been Sold! Thank you!

C.Q.D. (SOS) MEDAL
of 1909

One of about 600
issued!

Life Saving Medal

PRICE SOLD
including shipping to the 48 contiguous States.

Date Instituted:
1909

CAMPAIGN:Rescue at Sea

DESCRIPTION of this MEDAL:   Round shaped medal bearing CQD over an image of the single
stack ship RMS Republic and along the bottom the ships name and the initials “AB“ on the obverse. On the reverse,”From
the Saloon Passengers of the R. m.s. Baltic & R.M.S. Republic, to the Officers and Crews of the S.S. Republic, Baltic
& Florida”, for Gallantry, commemorating the Rescue of over 1,700 souls, Jan. 24th 1909.” The suspender is a simple ring without ribbon.

Metal: Silver.                Size: 45mm                     Clasps:
Non authorized for this medal.

Naming:
Issued un-named but many were privately engraved.

HISTORY: This 45 MM medal
takes its name from the CQD emergency radio signal – predecessor of SOS and was issued unnamed. The CQD signal was sent out
by the stricken White Star steamship ‘Republic’ after it collided with the Italian steamer Florida on 21 January 1909.

The RMS Baltic, rescued 1600 passengers and crew from the stricken liner RMS Republic which
was sailing from New York to Gibraltar and Mediterranean ports when it collided with the Italian liner Florida
in fog off the island of Nantucket, Mass, Saturday, January 23, 1909. This was the first occasion on which the CQD
distress call had been sent by wireless transmission.

As a joint expression of the gratitude of saloon passengers from the White Star’s Baltic
and Republic, had medals struck in recognition of the gallantry of the seamen who had
taken part in the rescue. The officers received silver medals, and the crew bronze medals. This medal is silver and is
unnamed as issued.

It is reported in the New York Times of November 5, 2009,
that 97 medals went to the Florida, 240 to the Republic without mention of the number going to the Baltic. Whatever the number,
it is estimated that no more then 600 medals were issued in total.

    Reverse of Medal

   Obverse of Medal

CONDITION:  The
back of the ribbon has been glued to paper board and then to purple cloth, the remnants of which are present. These medals
were issued without a hanging device and unnamed. The medal is in fine condition with a few tiny nicks front and back which
are not of consequence. Otherwise the medal is in Very Fine condition showing handeling and has a nice patina of age.

Shipping & Packaging

The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination, will be calculated point to point and is an additional charge. You may email us to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling.

Our Unconditional 'No Nonsense' Guarantee

If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges are refundable if due to our error within the continental United States.

International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers worldwide.

Standard Forms of Payment

Bank wire transfer, cashier’s check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to us so that the use of credit cards or PayPal incur extra charges. Terms on overseas sales are different.