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Lot #3055
St. Louis 1904 Olympics Gold Winner's Medal with Case for Men's 110m Hurdles

Extraordinarily elusive gold winner's medal awarded to an elite hurdler at the St. Louis 1904 Olympic Games

Estimate: $150000+

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Description

Extraordinarily elusive gold winner's medal awarded to an elite hurdler at the St. Louis 1904 Olympic Games

Incredibly rare winner's medal issued for a first-place finish in the 110 meter hurdle event at the St. Louis 1904 Olympics. Gold, 39 mm, 30 gm, designed and minted by Dieges & Clust, New York. The front, inscribed "Olympiad, 1904," depicts a victorious athlete holding a wreath in front of an ancient Greek athlete frieze and the Acropolis. The reverse pictures a Standing Nike and bust of Zeus, engraved with the event's name within a wreath, "110 Meter Hurdle." The medal is suspended from its original blue, white, red, and gold ribbon with gold clasp, featuring raised text, "1904, Universal Exposition, Olympic Games, St. Louis." Complete with its worn original leather hinged presentation case, gilt-stamped on the top with the legend: "Medal for Olympic Games, Universal Exposition, St. Louis U.S.A., F. J. V. Skiff, Dir. of Exhibits, Jas. E. Sullivan, Chief."

The St. Louis Games of 1904 were significant in Olympic history as the first Games where prize medals were presented in gold, silver, and bronze, to first, second, and third place winners, an enduring tradition that continues to this day. Any winner's medal from the 1904 Olympics is excessively rare, ranking amongst the most elusive of all Olympic prizes. This example, in particular, is exceptionally well preserved.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Olympics
  • Dates: December 12, 2024 - January 16, 2025