Last of Explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Medals Wanted by UK Buyer

A momentous moment in Antarctic history is at stake as a temporary export ban is placed on a Polar Medal that was previously awarded to the renowned explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. In order to stop the medal from leaving the nation and maybe becoming the last of Shackleton’s medals to leave the UK, the government of the United Kingdom is desperately looking for a domestic bidder.

The arctic Medal was given to Sir Ernest Shackleton, who is well-known for his three arctic journeys, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to polar science. Worth over £1.76 million, the silver badge is of “outstanding significance,” says Andrew Hochhauser KC, the chair of the committee that manages the export of these kinds of artefacts.

The government believes that the medal is an important part of Shackleton’s history and wants to keep it in the nation. Hochhauser stressed how crucial it is to house the medal in a public institution in the UK so that it can remind people of Shackleton’s incredible accomplishments and motivate upcoming generations of leaders.

The arctic Medal, which was originally called the Arctic Medal until 1904, is given to people who have made outstanding contributions to the field of arctic research. After his Antarctic trips, such as the 1907 Nimrod expedition, which sought to be the first to reach the South Pole, Shackleton was awarded this esteemed title.

The Nimrod expedition achieved new records by reaching the pole within 100 miles, while not reaching its objective. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest has recommended that the medal’s export be temporarily suspended due to its historical significance. The committee refers to the medal’s departure from the UK as a “misfortune”.

The scramble to find a UK bidder has intensified as the decision on the medal’s export licence application has been postponed until May 1. A number of Shackleton’s medals, including his Chilean Order of Merit and four British medals, were auctioned off in 2015 and brought in over £500,000. The country’s dedication to conserving its history of arctic exploration is demonstrated by the current endeavour.