A version of the medal awarded by the State of New York to members of the Second Grinnell polar expedition. Obverse: Hans Christian Hendrick indicates the steamship 'Advance' in the background to William Morton who follows him along an ice ledge carrying a rifle. Reverse: History and Liberty with a shield showing the rising sun, the American eagle perched on a globe above - a modified version of the state arms of New York.

During the expedition, William Morton and Hans made a journey by dog sled across the Humbolt Glacier to Cape Constitution 24 June 1854 where they believed they had found an 'open polar sea' (in fact the Kennedy Channel). There are two versions of the medal, this version shows the return of the two men to the expedition vessel, the other version shows them at Cape Constitution.

The second Grinnell search expedition for Sir John Franklin's ships was led by Elisha Kent Kane in 'Advance'. The chief sponsor was Mr Henry Grinnell of New York. The expedition proceeded to the north of Baffin Bay in the direction of the Pole. The ship was beset in what is now the Kane Basin north of Smith's Sound and the crew had to retreat south by sledge and boat in the summer of 1855. A relief expedition led by Lieutenant H. J. Hartstein met them at Disco and they returned to New York in October.