Description A man of uncommon courage and conviction, Florian of Lorch is recognized as the Patron Saint of Firefighters. Serving as a high-ranking officer in the Roman Army, Florian was tortured and killed for refusing to renounce his Christian faith. Rejecting the Roman practice of torching Christian villages, he risked his life to extinguish blaze after blaze. In a bold challenge to his fellow soldiers, who stood poised and ready to set his body aflame, Saint Florian is believed to have exclaimed: ‘If you do, I will climb to heaven on the flames.’ Today, Saint Florian serves as a model of courage and a source of inspiration to firefighters the world over who sacrifice their lives to protect us from harm. This coin commemorates the sacrifice and skill of those who brave the smoke and flames each day to ensure our safety. The obverse depicts St. Florian and a modern-day firefighter engaged in their life-saving work. The coin’s reverse features the Maltese Cross, a centuries-old symbol of fire fighting excellence set against the backdrop of an unfurled American flag. Minted in a brass alloy, this coin is brushed with an antique finish and accented with bright, patriotic enamel. Each coin measures 1 3/4 inch (44mm) in diameter.
