A set of medals belonging to Sergeant James A Bute, who served aboard the Beagle during Charles Darwin's survey expedition, could make around £8,000-10,000 ($11,923-14,904).
The lot will cross the block at Dix Noonan Webb in the UK on March 25.
 Bute served aboard the HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin's second expedition |
Bute joined the Royal Navy as a private in 1820 and specifically requested to join the Beagle expedition in 1830. He provided security in addition to helping collect samples.
The voyage led to the formation of Darwin's hugely influential theory of evolution, which proved so incendiary that it was not published until 1859.
Will Bennett, of Dix Noonan Webb, told the Aberdeen Press & Journal: "James Bute took part in one of the most important voyages in human history.
"Bute helped ensure the safety of Darwin and the crew of the HMS Beagle so that they could return home with their findings.
"What is particularly fascinating is that he would almost certainly have accompanied Charles Darwin on his forays to collect specimens, which ultimately changed our view of human evolution."
The medals will be sold as a single lot alongside an Arctic exploration pair awarded to Bute's son George, who joined the search for Franklin's lost expedition in 1848.
We have another fascinating piece of naval memorabilia - this fragment of flag from the HMS Victory.
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