Extremely rare athlete’s participation medal issued for the St. Louis 1904 Olympics. Copper, 40 mm, 31 gm, by Dieges & Clust, New York. The front, inscribed, "Olympic Games, St. Louis, USA, 1904," features an idealized nude athlete mid-stride with a laurel branch in his hand; the reverse features the lengthy text, "1803, Universal Exposition Commemorating the Olympic Games, 1904, Physical Culture Department, Frederick J. V. Skiff, Director of Exhibits," encircled by ivy leaves with the shield emblems of St. Louis, France, and USA. This particular medal is without an upper loop and bears an entirely plain edge, traits indicative of medals presented to participating athletes. The 1904 St. Louis is the rarest and most coveted of all Olympic participation medals.
