This silver medal was awarded to Dr John Rae for his arctic discoveries from 1818-55.
The medal depicts a sailing ship against a background of icebergs with men working in the foreground. The inscription reads, 'For Arctic Discoveries 1818-1855'. The medal hangs from a silver bar made up of five clasps inscribed with dates of each voyage.
Rae (1813-93), an Orcadian, attributed his success as an explorer to his appreciation of the ways of the native peoples. He had a great affinity with the North American Indian and Inuit peoples that he met on his journeys.
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