The Polar Medal was instituted by King Edward VII following the return of Captain Scott’s Discovery expedition. The image of Discovery with a sledging party in the foreground was designed by Ernest Gillick, and the bust of King Edward VII by G.W. de Saulles. The medal can be silver or bronze, and is awarded for distinguished work in the Arctic or Antarctic. A bar is added for each separate expedition. Shackleton’s lieutenant Frank Wild was awarded four bars to his medal, the most of any polar explorer. This example has two clasps: ANTARCTIC 1902-04; ANTARCTIC 1907-09.