History

The Life Saving Medal was founded by King Friedrich Wilhelm III and it was conferred upon citizens who had risked their own lives to rescue another from mortal danger.

In 1782, King Friedrich II instituted an earlier version of this medal in the form of a table medal, and it was awarded to survivors of shipwrecks.

In 1802, King Friedrich Wilhelm III also established an earlier version of this award in the form of a table medal.

The different time periods and variations of the medal are identified by the symbols used as punctuation in the obverse inscription.

From 1833 to 1864, the obverse inscription featured a star or a rosette formed by eight dots.

From 1865 to 1875, the obverse inscription featured a diamond formed by four dots.

From 1875 to 1907, the obverse inscription featured a rosette formed by six unclear dots.

From 1907 to 1918, the obverse inscription featured a rosette formed by six clear dots.