Scott, Captain Robert Falcon--British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913

SILVER MEDAL  (55mm. diameter), designed by Frank Bowcher of the Royal Mint, obverse showing a portrait bust of Captain Scott wearing naval uniform and badge of a CVO, with text on the circumference: "CAPTAIN R.F. SCOTT CVO RN COMMANDER BRITISH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION 1910-13," the reverse with a high relief vignette depicting the five members of the Polar Party setting off to the Pole, in polar kit with skis and a sledge, with text on the circumference: "PRESENTED BY THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY FOR ANTARCTIC DISCOVERY 1913" with "Bowcher. F." below the image

TOGETHER WITH A TYPED LETTER to Miss Scott, SIGNED by the Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society, John Scott Keltie, on headed paper, dated 6th November 1913, which relates: "As you may know, we are presenting a special Antarctic Medal to the members of the expedition, and copies to the relatives of the five men who died. I should think probably your mother would like to have a copy. If so, I might be able to send her one", letter mounted



The medal and letter framed together and glazed, with an engraved label stating "The official Royal Geographical Society Medal for Scott's Last Expedition, 1910-13, presented to his mother"

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
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ONE OF ONLY 26 SILVER SPECIAL ANTARTIC MEDALS PRESENTED BY THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY "FOR ANTARCTIC DISCOVERY" TO COMMEMORATE THE 1910-13 BRITISH ANTARTIC EXPEDITION LED BY CAPTAIN SCOTT. THIS SILVER MEDAL BELIEVED TO BE THE ONE PRESENTED TO CAPTAIN SCOTT'S MOTHER.

The Royal Geographical Society records that a total of 75 copies of the gold Special Medal were struck: 26 in silver and 49 in bronze. The medals were presented on 10 November 1913 by the President of the Royal Geographical Society to surviving members of the expedition and relatives of those who had died. Of the silver medals, 24 were presented to officers and scientific staff, and one to Mrs Scott. The medals were not named.

The accompanying letter to Miss Scott also notes "I hope that an understanding will be come to about the portrait"; presumably this is a reference to the portrait of Captain Scott by Harrington Mann, which was presented to the Royal Geographical Society by Scott's family.