Medal from first modern Olympic Games in 1896 sells for $180,000
· Jul 24, 2021 · NottheBee.com

Could you imagine owning a medal from the first Olympics (at least in modern history)??

A rare first-place medal from the first modern Olympic Games has sold for more than $180,000.

Boston-based RR Auction said Friday that the winning bidder for the silver medal from the 1896 games in Athens, Greece was a collector based on the East Coast. The company estimated before the auction that the first place medal could fetch about $75,000.

This was the medal:

Here's another bit of trivia for you: There was no such thing as third place at the first Olympics.

At the inaugural Olympiad, first-place winners were awarded silver medals and second-place finishers earned bronze, the auction house said. There was no award for placing third.

I kinda like that. Maybe some traditions would be worth reviving.

Just, you know, not things like the ancient Olympian tradition of competing nude.


Ready to join the conversation? Subscribe today.

Access comments and our fully-featured social platform.

Sign up Now
App screenshot

You must signup or login to view or post comments on this article.