Ernest Shackleton’s medals up for auction

A remarkable set of rare medals awarded to explorer Ernest Shackleton for his Antarctic expeditions are up for auction.

Kildare-born Shackleton was the most decorated polar adventurer and the set includes the Royal Geographic Society’s Silver Medal, awarded for his part in the landmark British Antarctic expedition aboard Discovery, valued at £20,000 (€27,000) to £40,000 (€56,000).

The group of 14 lots will be sold at Christie’s South Kensington and central to the sale will be the medal he received when made Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for reaching the farthest South ever explored, estimated to sell for £20,000 to £30,000.