Winter Olympic Torches: Realized Prices & How to Sell
To auction, sell or consign your Winter Olympic torch, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
What Does the Olympic Torch Relay Symbolize?
The Olympic torch relay was initiated in 1936 at the Berlin Olympics and is a symbol of the connection between the modern Olympics and the Olympics of Ancient Greece. Each year the flame begins in Greece and travels via relay to the host city using several torchbearers. The Olympic opening ceremony concludes with the final torchbearer lighting the Olympic cauldron, which remains lit for the duration of the Games.
Here Are Some of Our Winter Olympic Torch Sales Highlights:
1968 Grenoble Winter Torch — Sold for $178,500
Over 1,100 athletes from 37 countries partook in the 1968 Winter Games in Grenoble France. The torch relay route this year included several sports arenas throughout France. About 5,000 torchbearers participated in the festivities with notable bearers including Olympic medalists Alain Calmat and Jean Vuarnet. We sold the one of these scarce torches for $178,500.
1994 Lillehammer Winter Torch — Sold for $27,000
The 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway featured a 60 inch torch, the longest Olympic torch yet. Some torchbearers this year were Stein Gruben, who skied down a 120 m jump holding a torch in his right hand, and Catherine Nottingnes, a blind cross-country skier. We realized $27,000 for one of these rare Lillehammer torches.
1988 Calgary Winter Torch — Sold for $15,000
The 1988 Olympic winter torch was created to replicate the Calgary Tower and its handle was crafted from Canadian maple wood. Torchbearers this year included sprint hurdler Stelios Bisbas and Robyn Perry, a 12 year old figure skater from Alberta. We sold a 1988 Olympic torch for $15,000.
2014 Sochi Winter Torch — Sold for $3,438
The silver and red torch from the 2014 Games in Sochi was designed to resemble a bird’s feather. The torch relay involved about 250 people in Greece and about 14,000 in Russia. Some torchbearers this year were Olympic figure skater Irina Rodnina and ice hockey medalist Vladislav Tretiak. We realized $3,438 for one of these torches.
2010 Vancouver Winter Torch — Sold for $3,125
The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver began on February 12, 2010, and brought together over 2,500 athletes from 82 countries around the world. We realized $3,125 for a torch from the Vancouver games. Elegant white torch has colorful ”Vancouver 2010” to center, and contains silver metal casing featuring ”With Glowing Hearts” written in English and French. Measures 37” long and 3” at its widest point.
1988 Seoul Winter Torch — Sold for $2,294
The Seoul Olympic Torch Relay involved over 1,800 torchbearers and the route was about 2,800 miles long. South Korean athletes Won-Tak Kim, Chung Sun-Man and Sohn Kee-Chung were the final torchbearers who together lit the Olympic cauldron.
Gold torch from the 1988 Seoul games contains handle with brown leather grip and maroon handle guard with “Games of The XXIVth Olympiad Seoul 1988” and Korean characters written in gold raised lettering. Bowl portion features black and gold engraving of two dragons, symbolizing the unity between the East and West, and with the red, blue and yellow “Seoul 1988″ Olympic logo to bottom portion of the bowl.
Thanks for stopping by to learn about some of our top Olympic torch sales! Please reach out if you have any questions or if you’d like a free appraisal for your Olympic memorabilia. Learn how to sell your Olympic medals and torches.
FAQs
Why are some Olympic torches more scarce?
Olympic games from the earlier years produced fewer torches. Rather than providing a torch for each torchbearer, several people shared a single torch.
How much is my Olympic torch worth?
The value of your Olympic torch depends on the condition, year it’s from and provenance.