This story is told through quotes in newspapers and excerpts from Statutes at Large withadditional commentary. Life Saving medals were authorized by an 1874 Act of Congress.

The 1874 Act established the gold First Class life saving medal. The first examples [LS-5]were 76 mm. The size was reduced to 50 mm [LS-7] for medals issued during 1877-1882. Thesize was reduced again to 44 mm [LS-9] for medals issued after 1883. Size was reduced againafter 1903 to 37mm. The 44 mm medal contained almost three ounces of gold.

The New York Times, Apr. 3, 1880:

Brooklyn Eagle, Jan. 18, 1882:

Report of the Committee of Commerce February 10, 1882, (excerpt):

Act of Congress, July 19, 1886, (excerpt):

The Act of June 20, 1874 also stated:

The Buffalo Times of August 4, 1886:

New York Tribune, May 4, 1888:

The Act of Congress stated, (excerpt):

The National Archives microfilm:

The National Archive reported the inscription:

The NARA form had additional information:

The New York Times, Dec. 11, 1888:

The medals shown are two first class gold lifesaving medals (44 mm) that are not the medalpresented to Thomas Sampson. I have not located a photo of that medal.

In his book, Medals of the United States Mint The First Century 1792-1892, R. W. Julian givesthe Captain Thomas Sampson medal the designation of LS-16. Julian states that the dies were thesame as those of the First Class life saving medal LS-9 with the date for the Act of Congresschanged to May 14, 1888. Julian mentions a letter from the director of the mint ordering thechange by letter dated August 20, 1888.

Julian had not seen a photo of the medal and I have not seen a photo. I am not aware of anyauction appearance.

The Act of July 19, 1886, directed the Secretary of the Treasury, "to cause to be prepared amedal of honor, with suitable devices, to be bestowed upon Thomas Sampson." This would haverequired a change in the die.

The Act of May 14, 1888, only stated that the Secretary of the Treasury was "directed to awardto Captain Thomas Sampson, of New York, a gold medal of the first class," This could have beenaccomplished with one of the standard medals LS-9.

The medal needs to be seen to verify the date on the obverse die.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
HONEST TOM SAMPSON (1827-1901)(https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n10a14.html)