White metal. 47.7mm. 30.2g. Plain edge. Unsigned. These medals were awarded for bravery by the Royal Canadian Humane Association. The April 1896 issue of the American Journal of Numismatics stated:

Something less than a year ago a medal was struck by the “ Royal Canadian Humane Association,” for presentation to those who had been instrumental in saving life from drowning, etc. The device bears the name of the Association in an inscription of four lines (a word in each line), the last curving ; the inscription is surmounted by the crown of England, and is enclosed in a wreath of maple leaves on the left and laurel leaves on the right, crossed at the bottom and open at the top. Reverse, plain, for engraving the name of the recipient, etc. A small clasp with an ornamental bar above, by which the medal is worn suspended by a ribbon. It is struck in bronze, and perhaps other metals. We are informed by Mr. McLachlan that the dies were cut by Mr. Rolph, of Rolph, Smith & Co., after a design by Mr. Arthur Henning, of Hamilton. Its size, as engraved, is 29 American scale.

The Charlton reference states they were struck by George H. Lees Co. Ltd. They exist in gold, silver, and bronze and in two different sizes. The large-size medal were awarded between 1894 and 1910-1915. Small-size medal were awarded later. The larger medals in bronze (and possible gold and silver) exist with hangers that read BRAVERY and a blue ribbon (see Jeffrey Hoare Auctions Sale 110, 1/2013). Charlton does not list this medal in white metal, and we can find no other example having been offered. This large-size representative may very well be a trial strike. It features semiprooflike fields on terrific contrast on the obverse. The reverse is lightly abraded.

Ex: Nicolet Seminary Collection (Champagne Auctions, 5/2017), lot 297; Michael Joffre Collection of Canadian Historical Medals.