Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The extremely rare ‘Mount Everest Expedition’ Coronation Medal attributed to Leading Sherpa Ang Norbu, British Mount Everest Expedition

Coronation 1953, the edge officially impressed ‘Mount Everest Expedition’ and housed in its presentation case, extremely fine, rare £2,000-£3,000

Provenance: Buckland, Dix & Wood, April 1994.

Although these medals were sadly not named to the individual Expedition members, the lot is sold with the following typed attribution: ‘Decoration awarded to Leading Sherpa Ang Norbu following the successful ascent of Mount Everest on June 1st, 1953. Sherpa Ang Norbu was born near Katmundu [sic] April 1914. After a long and successful life as a Sherpa (he was on 5 expeditions) he died on September 22nd 1967.’

Only 37 medals were issued to the expedition members who successfully conquered Mount Everest, the news of which was received on Coronation Day, 2 June 1953, and these were the only Coronation Medals officially inscribed in any way.