Collection of 10 participation medals from early Summer Olympic Games:
1. Athens 1896 Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
2. London 1908 Summer Olympics Silvered Bronze Participation Medal
3. Stockholm 1912 Summer Olympics Participation Medal
4. Antwerp 1920 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
5. Paris 1924 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
6. Amsterdam 1928 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
7. Los Angeles 1932 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
8. Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
9. London 1948 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
10. Helsinki 1952 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
1. Athens 1896 Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
Participation medal issued for the Athens 1896 Olympics. Bronze, 50 mm, 58 gm, by W. Pittner, Austria. The front features a seated Nike holding a laurel wreath over a phoenix emerging from flames, with Acropolis in the background; the reverse bears a star surmounted above five lines of Greek legend set within a laurel wreath: “International, Olympic Games, In Athens, 1896.”
2. London 1908 Summer Olympics Silvered Bronze Participation Medal
Steward's participation medal issued for the London 1908 Summer Olympics. Silvered bronze, 51 mm, 60 gm, by Bertram Mackennal. The front depicts a quadriga with charioteer and judge, preparing to present the palm of victory; the reverse bears the winged figure of Fame standing on a globe with raised text on either side, "Elis, Athens, Paris, St. Louis, London" and "In Commemoration of the Olympic Games Held in London, 1908." Stamped on the edge by the maker, "Vaughton." Includes its original blue P. Vaughton & Sons hinged case, stamped on the lid: "Olympic Games, Steward, London. 1908."
3. Stockholm 1912 Summer Olympics Participation Medal
Participation medal issued for the Stockholm 1912 Summer Olympics. Pewter, 51 mm, 44 gm, by Bertram Mackennal/Erik Lindberg. The front features a raised quadriga with a charioteer and judge, preparing to present an athlete with the palm of victory; the reverse bears Zeus seated on an Ionic column in relief, holding a small figure of the goddess Nike, with the city of Stockholm in the background and raised lettering along the top. Includes the original paper box.
4. Antwerp 1920 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
Striking participation medal issued for the Antwerp 1920 Summer Olympics. Bronze, 60 mm, 75 gm, by Pierre Theunis. The front depicts a dramatic image of a flying Victory crowning a charioteer on biga; the reverse features Nike standing before a burning censer and crowning a trio of victorious athletes, with Antwerp in the background and raised text, "VIIme Olympiade-Anvers, MCMXX." An aesthetically impressive Olympic medal.
5. Paris 1924 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
Handsome participation medal issued for the Paris 1924 Summer Olympics. Bronze, 55 mm, 72 gm, by Raoul Benard. The front features a stunning raised depiction of the goddess Nike crowning victorious athletes with laurel wreaths; the reverse bears a city view of Paris and raised text, “VIIIe Olympiade, Paris, 1924,” with the designer’s monogram below. Stamped "Bronze" on the edge.
6. Amsterdam 1928 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
Elaborate participation medal issued for the Amsterdam 1928 Summer Olympics. Bronze, 55 mm, 59 gm, by J. C. Wienecke. The front features nude male and female athletes on a podium holding a torch over the Olympic flame, with a balance on laurel branches in exergue; the reverse bears the goddess Nike over Marathon Tower, the shield of Amsterdam between two hemispheres, and the Olympic stadium in the background. Includes its original paper box.
7. Los Angeles 1932 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
Uncommon participation medal issued for the Los Angeles 1932 Summer Olympics. Bronze, 69 mm, 147 gm, by Julio Kilenyi. The front depicts an athlete standing with an unfurled Olympic flag reading "Xth Olympiad 1932." The reverse features two seated female figures supporting the shield of the United States under raised text, "Los Angeles, California"; the figure on the left is holding an olive branch, and the other rests her hand on a shield bearing the seals of the State of California and the City of Los Angeles. Stamped on the edge with the maker's mark of the mint, "Whitehead-Hoag." Includes its original paper box.
8. Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
Participation medal issued for the Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics. Brown bronze, 70 mm, 114 gm, by Otto Placzek. The front depicts five athletes, representing the five continents, pulling the ropes of the Olympic bell, with raised text, "XI Olympiade, Berlin, 1936"; the reverse bears the Olympic bell embossed with the German eagle gripping the Olympic rings within five concentric circles and the name of the designer on the outer edge. Includes its original red paper box.
9. London 1948 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
Participation medal issued for the London 1948 Summer Olympics. Bronze, 51 mm, 61 gm, by Bertram Mackennal/John Pinches. The front features a quadriga with a charioteer and judge, preparing to present an athlete with the palm of victory; the reverse bears a city view of London above raised lettering and Olympic rings, “XIV Olympiad, London, 1948.” Accompanied by its uncommon original red paper box by John Pinches of London.
10. Helsinki 1952 Summer Olympics Bronze Participation Medal
Participation medal issued for the Helsinki 1952 Summer Olympics. Bronze, 54 mm, 80 gm, by Kauko Rasanen. The front depicts the heads of two laureate athletes superimposed over the Olympic Stadium, with raised text, "Helsinki 1952"; the reverse bears male and female athletes holding torches over the Olympic rings, with raised text above, "XV Olympia." Includes its original paper box.
