Silver Olympic Medals: Identification, How to Sell & Realized Prices

To auction, sell or consign your silver Olympic medal, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).

Who Designed the First Olympic Medals?

Italian painter and sculptor Giuseppe Cassioli created the Summer Olympic medal that was used between 1928 and 1972. The obverse design consisted of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, near the Colosseum and the reverse depicted a group carrying a victorious athlete. Cassioli’s design would be utilized as a template for the obverse side of the Summer Olympics medal until 2004.

Here Are Some of Our Silver Olympic Medal Sales:

1936 Berlin Summer Olympics — Sold for $15,625

The 1936 Olympics were held in Berlin when Germany was under Nazi rule. Hitler wanted to use the Games to promote his ideals of racial supremacy. However, African American Jesse Owens was the most successful Olympian this year and took home four gold medals. American diver Marjorie Gestring, who was 13 in 1936, remains the youngest summer Olympic gold medalist today. We sold a silver medal from the 1936 Games for $15,625.

1920 Antwerp Summer Olympics — Sold for 12,500

Antwerp, Belgium was selected as the host for the 1920 Summer Olympics to honor the country for its suffering during World War I. This was the first Olympics organized post-WWI and the first time doves were released as a symbol of peace and the first time the Olympic flag was raised to symbolize unity. We sold a silver medal designed by Josuë Dupon, one of just 400 from the 1920 Summer Games, for $12,500.

1972 Munich Summer Olympics — Sold for $12,500

The 1972 Olympics hosted in Munich were the largest Games yet, with the participation of 7,134 athletes. Several events made their debut, including men’s indoor handball, slalom canoeing and kayaking and the return of archery following a 52 year hiatus. We realized $12,500 for a silver medal won by East German gymnast Erika Zuchold.

1976 Montreal Summer Olympics — Sold for $12,500

The 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal were the first Games to be hosted in Canada. These Games marked the debut of women’s rowing, basketball and team handball. Some memorable winners this year included Cuban runner Alberto Juantorena, who still remains the only athlete to win the 400 and 800 m events in the Olympics. We sold a silver Gymnastics medal won by the USSR gymnastics team from these Games for $12,500.

1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics — Sold for $12,500

Silver medal from the XVI Olympiad, won at the Olympic games in Melbourne, Australia in 1956. Medal bears a relief of the goddess Vctory to obverse, as she holds a winner’s crown in her right hand and a palm leaf in her left, accompanied by the inscription, ”XVIth / Olympiad / Melbourne 1956”. Reverse contains a relief of an Olympian carried through a crowd, the Olympic stadium in the background. Accompanied by the original white case. Medal measures 2” in diameter; case measures 2.9” x 0.75” x 2.9”. Slight tarnishing. Very good. Sold for $12,500.

1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics — Sold for $11,942

Silver medal from the XIX Olympiad, won in the Gymnastics Vault competition by Erika Zuchold at the Olympic games in Mexico City, Mexico in 1968. Medal bears a relief of the goddess Victory as she holds a winner’s crown in her right hand and a palm leaf in her left, accompanied by the inscription, ”XIX OLIMPIADA / MEXICO / 1968”. Verso features the relief of an Olympian being carried through a crowd with the Olympic stadium in the background. Medal is attached to original ruby silk ribbon. Also included is the IOC winner pin which was awarded to Zuchold in the 1990s. In her career, Zuchold won 4 silver medals and one bronze medal for East Germany and was the first woman to ever complete the flick-flack element on the balance beam. Comes with official medal certificate from the Olympic committee, measuring 12″ x 12″. Medal measures 2.25″ and weighs 124 g. or 4.4 ounces. Slight tarnishing, minor scuffing, overall very good condition. Sold for $11,942.

1948 London Summer Olympics — Sold for $9,000

Silver medal from the XIV Olympiad, won at the 1948 Olympic games in London, England by Yugoslavian footballer Stjepan Bobek. Medal’s obverse bears a relief of the goddess Victory as she holds a winner’s crown, accompanied by the inscription, “XIVth / Olympiad / London 1948”. Reverse bears a relief of an Olympian carried through a crowd, the Olympic stadium in the background. Measures 2″ in diameter, and weighs 69 grams. Near fine condition. Medal is accompanied by the original blue leather case reading “The / Olympic Games / London / 1948″; interior satin lining has the name of the minting company, John Pinches of London. Case measures 3.25” square. Heavy wear to case with rear hinge partially detached.

1936 Berlin Summer Olympics — Sold for $10,000

Silver 1936 Olympics medal from the Berlin, Germany Summer Olympics from the XI Olympiad, won at the Olympic games by Swiss gymnast Eugen Mack. Medal bears relief of the goddess Victory to obverse, as she holds a winner’s crown in her right hand and a palm leaf in her left, accompanied by the inscription, ”XI / Olympiade / Berlin 1936”. Verso bears relief of an Olympian carried through a crowd, with the Olympic stadium in the background. Measures 55 mm. Weighs 72 g. Light tarnishing, else near fine.  Sold for $10,000.

1906 Athens Summer Olympics — Sold for $5,775

Silver 1906 Olympics medal from the Summer Olympic games, held in Athens, Greece. The 1906 Games were enormously successful, introducing several characteristics of the modern games, including the establishment of both opening and closing ceremonies. Medal bears design of Zeus’ face along with his hand holding a globe and winged victory image, with caption reading “Olympia”. Depiction of the acropolis and “1906 Olympic Games” in Greek upon verso. Housed in red leather case with green felt backing. Measures 2″ in diameter and weighs 64 grams or 2.25 ounces. Near fine condition.   Sold for $5,775.

1912 Stockholm Summer Olympics — Sold for $4,869

Silver medal from the V Olympiad, won at the Olympic games in Stockholm, Sweden in 1912. Obverse of medal bears a relief of two female figures, placing a crown atop an athlete; the reverse is a relief of a herald proclaiming “Ling”, the founder of the Swedish gym system, with “Olympiska / Spelen / Stockholm 1912″ written around edge. Medal measures 1.4” or 33 mm in diameter. Weighs 17.9 g or 0.63 oz. Very light tarnishing. Very good to near fine condition. Sold for $4,869.

Thank you for checking out some of our silver Olympic medal sales! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or have Olympic memorabilia that you’re interested in consigning. Learn how to sell your Olympic medals and torches.

FAQs

What is an Olympic silver medal comprised of?
All silver medals contain at least 92.5% sterling silver and have some copper added for strength.

Were silver medals once given to first place Olympic finishers?
Yes, at the first modern Olympic games of 1896, first place winners received a silver medal and second place received a copper and bronze one.

Learn about some of the bronze Olympic medals we’ve sold.

How much is an Olympic silver medal worth?
The value of a silver medal depends on its condition, year and event.