Royal Geographical Society Shackleton Medal

item details

NameRoyal Geographical Society Shackleton Medal

ProductionGilbert Bayes; designer; 1909; United Kingdom
John Pinches; engraver; 1909; United Kingdom

Classificationmedals

Materialssilver

Materials Summarystruck and engraved silver medal

Techniquesmetalworking, striking, engraving

DimensionsOverall: 4mm (width), 70mm (height), 70mm (diameter)

Registration NumberNU007647

Credit linePurchased 1957

Overview

This silver medal for Antarctic Discovery was awarded by the Royal Geographical Society to Ernest Shackleton and members of the Antarctic expedition of 1907-09.

The obverse depicts a three-quarter profile of Ernest Shackleton facing left and the inscriptions: 'ERNEST H. SHACKLETON MVO FRGS / 1907 / 1909 / COMMANDER OF THE EXPEDITION'.

The reverse shows two figures with a sledge and ponies in an Antarctic mountain landscape with inscriptions: "PRESENTED BY THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY FOR ANTARCTIC DISCOVERY / 1909".

Sir Ernest Shackleton’s British Antarctic (Nimrod) Expedition, 1907-09

The goal of the Nimrod expedition was to reach the South Pole, and in October 1908 a group of four men (including Shackleton) set out from Cape Royds for their great southern journey. They travelled south for 73 days, but with only 100 miles to go Shackleton turned his group around, knowing they would not survive if they continued on. Shackleton’s entire group survived the expedition, and although he had not achieved his goal, he was knighted.