The World’s First Olympic Medal
As the Olympic Winter Games are currently taking place in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, a unique piece of Olympic history has found its way to our auction house. It is none other than the world’s first Olympic medal from 1896.
Have you always dreamed of owning an Olympic medal but never competed among the world’s top athletes? Now you have the chance to bring home an exceptionally rare piece of sports history. This is an original winner’s medal from the first modern Olympic Games, held in Athens in 1896.
“Over the years, we have sold several historic Olympic medals, but never one from the very first Games. It is extraordinarily rare for a medal of this calibre to appear on the market. For collectors of Olympic memorabilia, this can truly be considered a crown jewel.”
Christian Grundtvig, Head of Coins and Medals, Bruun Rasmussen Arts Auctioneers
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Zeus, Nike, and the ParthenonThe medal was engraved by French artist Jules-Clément Chaplain. The obverse features a laureate head of the Greek god Zeus holding a globe, upon which the Goddess of Victory, Nike, stands with an olive branch. The reverse depicts the Acropolis rock with the Parthenon and the Greek inscription “Διεθνείς Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες – Αθήναι 1896,” referring to the International Olympic Games in Athens. |
Silver Medals for the Winners – Including a DaneThe first modern Olympic Games took place from 6 to 15 April 1896, with 241 athletes from 14 nations competing across nine sports and 43 events. At the time, silver medals were awarded to the winners and bronze medals to runners-up – the gold medal was introduced at later Games. Denmark was among the participating nations, and Danish athlete Viggo Jensen won in weightlifting, becoming the first Danish Olympic champion. However, it is not known for certain whether the medal now offered at auction once belonged to him. |
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For further information, please contact:
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Christian GrundtvigChristian Grundtvig
Stamps & Coins
Head of department / Glostrup
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