Summer Olympic Torches: Examples, Values & How to Sell

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

The Olympic torch relay takes place during the opening ceremony and relays the Olympic flame from Olympia, Greece to the host city of the Olympic Games. The relay has occurred every year of Games since its inception in 1936. The longest distance the Olympic flame has needed to travel was 137,000 km for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China which included nearly 22,000 torchbearers.

Some Summer Olympic Torches We Sold:

1936 Berlin Summer Olympics — Sold for $11,794

1936 was the first year the Olympic torch relay tradition began. Torchbearers this year included runners Konstantinos Kondylis and Fritz Schilgen. The stainless steel torch was designed by German sculptor Walter Lemcke and features engravings of an eagle and the cities the torch relay passed through. Today few of these torches remain as obtainable stainless steel was melted and utilized for WWII weapons. We sold one of these rare torches for $11,794.

1960 Rome Summer Olympics — Sold for $4,933

The torch used in the 1960 Summer Games was crafted of aluminum then plated in bronze and its shape was inspired by the torches seen on ancient monuments. A notable torchbearer this year included Panagiotis Epitropopoulos, a Greek athlete who competed in this years men’s decathlon. We realized $4,933 for one of these torches housed in its original box.

1948 London Summer Olympics — Sold for $4,867

The torch relay for the 1948 Summer Olympics in London consisted of a route that traveled through Greece, Italy, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and finally England. Torchbearers from Italy came from the army and the English torchbearers were selected from clubs associated with the County Amateur Athletic Associations. British track and field athlete was the final torchbearer who lit the cauldron. We sold a torch from the 1948 Summer Games for $4,867.

2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics — Sold for $4,800

Olympic relay torch used in the 2020 Summer Olympic games in Tokyo. The torch’s rose gold color was inspired by the cherry blossom, Japan’s national flower, with five fluted columns at top resembling a flower. Designed by Tokujin Yoshioka, the torch is also constructed of recycled aluminum from shelters made in the aftermath of Japan’s 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The 2020 Tokyo Olympic logo is featured on one column, along with the Olympic rings and “Tokyo 2020”. Torch measures 28″ long and 4.5″ in diameter at top. Accompanied by a Toyota branded towel from the games, as well as an instruction manual for the torch, and a custom Allen key to remove the end cap. Also includes official carrying case. Very light wear, overall near fine condition. Sold for $4,800.

1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics — Sold for $3,049

The torch that carried the Olympic flame from Greece to the United States for the 1996 Summer Games. The torch was designed by Greek-American Peter Mastrogiannis of Malcolm Greer Designers, and its logistics were developed by a six-member team. Its 22 reeds symbolize the 22 games held in the modern Olympics since 1896. A gold band is engraved with the Atlanta Summer Games logo and the quilt of leaves design. The unique specifications of this piece require it to keep a 12” flame from extinguishing even in the face of 30 mph winds and rain. To that end, the engineering includes a dual-burner system, with a blue flame that replenishes the yellow flame. The torch is made of aluminum, with Georgia pecan wood in the center. Measures 31.5” in height. Sold for $3,049.

1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics — Sold for $3,049

The 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles consisted of 15,000 km torch relay beginning in Olympia, Greece that included over 3,600 torchbearers. Some notable torchbearers included Bill Thorpe Jr., son of the iconic Olympian Jim Thorpe, and decathlon gold medalist Rafer Johnson. We realized $3,049 for a 1984 Summer Olympic torch.

2004 Athens Summer Olympics — Sold for $2,500

Olympic torch ran on the Paris leg of the 2004 Olympic torch relay. The Torch Relay tradition was begun in 1928, and transports a spark from the parent flame in Olympia to the host city, in time for the opening ceremonies. The 2004 torch relay was run across every continent, with this torch being run on the Paris leg on 25 June 2004 by French football great Jean-Pierre Papin. A prolific striker, Papin made the FIFA 100 list of the greatest football players of all time on 4 March 2004. Wood and metal torch is sleekly designed to resemble an olive branch, and has a metal coil at the tip where the flame was lit. The ”Athens 2004” logo is printed in blue to the middle of the torch, with the familiar 5-ringed Olympic logo printed underneath. Measures 2.5” 25.5”. Near fine. Sold for $2,500.

1980 Moscow Summer Olympics — Sold for $2,406

The 1980 Summer Olympic Torch Relay involved nearly 5,500 torchbearers and the Olympic flame traveled about 3,100 miles through Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and the Soviet Union. Basketball star Sergei Belov was given the honor as the concluding torchbearer who lit the cauldron. Torch features lamp-burning mechanism specially designed by Soviet scientists, which allowed the lamp to burn for 48 hours straight. Measures 22” long, with the torch opening measuring 3.75”.

1968 Mexico City Olympics — Sold for $2,269

Olympic relay torch used in the 1968 Summer Olympics. The Torch Relay tradition began in 1928, and transports a spark from the parent flame in Olympia, Greece to the host city in time for the opening ceremonies, in this case Mexico City. Manufactured by Producios Victor S.A. and designed by M. Villazon, torch features a circular design of silver doves at top with a wood handle. Majority of torch is made of black aluminum, with ”Mexico” label at bottom. Measures 20.75” long and 4.25” at its widest point at top. Weighs 1 lb. 12 oz., or 799 g. Light wear and foil at bottom starting to peel off, overall very good condition. Sold for $2,269.

Thanks for stopping by to learn about some of our Summer Olympic Torches sales! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like a free appraisal of Olympic memorabilia. Learn how to sell your Olympic medals and torches.

FAQs

What happens if bad weather snuffs out the flame of a torchbearer?
Olympic organizers always carry some spare flames from the original flame in Greece in lanterns in the instance that a flame is accidentally put out.

How much is my Summer Olympic torch worth?
The value of your Olympic torch depends on the condition, year it’s from and provenance.