Arctic Medal 1818-1855, unnamed as issued. Rare - only 1486 were issued.

Arctic Medal 1818-1855, unnamed as issued. Rare - only 1486 were issued.

Arctic Medal 1818-1855, unnamed as issued. Rare – only 1486 were issued.

Condition: some minor contact wear to the obverse, Good Very Fine

Awarded retrospectively to all officers and men engaged in expeditions to the polar regions from 1818 to 1855, including those involved in the on-going search for the ill fated Franklin Expedition of 1845 to 1848. Thus the medal was granted to civilians, scientists, personnel of the French and US Navies and employees of the Hudson’s Bay Company who took part in a number of abortive search parties for Sir John Franklin and his crew. Some 1106 medals, out of 1486 in all, were awarded to officers and ratings of the Royal Navy.