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Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales
Royal Mint unmounted specimen striking in bronze.
With the accession of Edward VII, the R.N.L.I. medal was completely redesigned, by George William de Saulles, Chief Engraver to the Royal Mint; the first award of the type was voted in August 1903. Use of the new reverse, which included a seated figure of ‘Hope’ wishing ‘God-speed’ to the Coxswain-Superintendent of a lifeboat, was short lived: in 1912, Wyon’s original was restored for the medals of King George V’s reign. Actual awards in bronze were not introduced until 1917 and in 1937 the monarch’s head on the obverse was replaced by that of Sir William Hillary, Bart, the Institution’s founder.
(Source: For those in Peril: Civil decorations and lifesaving awards at the National Museums & Galleries of Wales by Edward Besly)
