Winner's medal issued to American swimmer Jimmy McLane at the Helsinki 1952 Summer Olympics. Gilt silver, 51 mm, 68 gm, by Giuseppe Cassioli. The front, inscribed, “XV Olympia, Helsinki, 1952,” features a ‘Seated Victory’ with the Colosseum in the background; the reverse portrays a winner carried by jubilant athletes. Factory marks on the edge, "916M" and "Y6," designate the silver content and mint. While the gilding is worn in several areas, it remains present in the low-relief details, accentuating this handsome and classic design. With just 320 of these first-place prize medals awarded at the Helsinki Games, this is an uncommon and sought-after example. Accompanied by a photo of McLane standing triumphant on the winner’s podium.
Legendary swimmer Jimmy McLane won his fourth and final Olympic medal at the 1952 Summer Games of the XV Olympiad. In the final of the men's 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay, held at the Helsinki Swimming Stadium on July 29th, McLane swam anchor and propelled Team USA to an exciting gold medal finish over a talented Japanese group. Their final time of 8:31.1 set a new Olympic record.
From The Jimmy McLane Collection.
