Denmark, Kingdom. A Frederick VIII Lifesaving Medal; Type VIII, c.1908

1906-1912 Issue. In silver, engraved "Vilhelm Alfred Pedersen" in running script on the edge, obverse with the bust of Frederick VIII, surrounded by the inscription "FREDERIK DEN OTTENDE DANMARKS LONGE" and engraver marked "LINDAHL", reverse inscribed "AF FARENS SVAELG FREMBLOMSTRER PRIIS OG LÖN" inside a wreath composed of various plants, 47.2 mm, on five-sided folded ribbon with safety pin attachment, contact marks, better than very fine. Footnote: In total, only 121 of the medals were awarded, making this an extremely rare medal. Frederick VIII (Christian Frederik Vilhelm Carl) (June 3, 1843 – May 14, 1912) was King of Denmark from 1906 to 1912. Before his accession to the throne at age 62, he served as crown prince for 43 years. During the long reign of his father, King Christian IX, he was largely excluded from influence and political power. In many ways Frederick VIII was a liberal ruler who was much more favorable to the new parliamentarian system than his father had been. Due to his very late accession to the throne, he had only a few years to show his ability and he was weakened by ill health. Upon his return journey from a trip to Nice, King Frederick made a short stop in Hamburg on May 14, 1912, staying at the Hotel Hamburger Hof. On the evening of his arrival in Hamburg, Frederick took a walk "incognito" on the Jungfernstieg. While walking, he became faint and collapsed on a park bench and died. He was discovered by a police officer who took him to a Hafen hospital where he was pronounced dead. His cause of death was announced as a paralysis-attack. He was interred with other members of the Danish royal family in Roskilde Cathedral near Copenhagen.