Rare Mauritius Lifesaving Medal Sells for Rs1.2million in UK Auction

A significant gold medal for lifesaving from Mauritius has made headlines after being sold at Noonans in Mayfair. The Strathmore Rescue gold medal, which holds historical importance, was part of the Coins and Banknotes of the Southern Indian Ocean sale on May 27, 2025. It achieved an impressive hammer price of £20,000.

This medal was part of the Hauchler Collection, which included 355 lots of medals, tokens, and related items from Mauritius and Madagascar, with a total expected value of around £100,000.

Oliver Hepburn, a Coin Specialist at Noonans, shared the compelling story behind the medal.

The sailing ship Strathmore left Gravesend, Kent, on April 19, 1875, bound for New Zealand, carrying 51 passengers, 38 crew members, and a cargo of railway iron and gunpowder.

On July 1, the ship encountered thick fog in the South Indian Ocean and wrecked on the Crozet Islands.

While the captain and first officer were washed overboard, the second officer and crew managed to launch two lifeboats, rescuing some survivors who were taken to one of the islands.

They remained there for seven months until rescued by Captain D. L. Gifford of the American whaler Young Phoenix on January 21, 1876.

Twenty survivors were transferred to the Sierra Morena and taken to Ceylon, while Captain Gifford brought the rest to Mauritius.

Gold Medal

Hepburn noted that a small number of silver and bronze medals were awarded to the crew of the Young Phoenix by the people of Mauritius.

The gold medal, presented to Chief Officer F.C. Swain, is the only known example of its kind and has only been available for private sale once in the last 50 years.

Jörg Hauchler (1956–2022), who collected this artefact, was born in Altena, Germany, on December 19, 1956.

He developed a keen interest in the history and geography of the Southwest Indian Ocean, participating in numerous scientific expeditions in Madagascar. He fell in love with Mauritius, where he chose to live after marrying.

In addition to the gold medal for F.C. Swain, the auction featured a silver version that was expected to sell for £1,000-1,500, one of only two known examples, with the other held at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London.

Also included was a rare pattern copper Piedfort 25 Sous from the reign of George IV, considered the finest known example, with an estimated value of £3,000-£4,000.

Source: Numismatic News / Noonans Action Update