I collect various things, when lots of people would think that I'm crazy. So I do understand that we all have our own quirks.
That said, I cannot begin to understand the attraction of owning a medal won by someone else. Yes, I know that there is a vibrant market in second-hand awards (e.g., Heisman trophies; championship rings; Nobel peace prizes), but I just don't get the charm.
Dang, to me that's really cool! Like @124Spider said, I also don't get the appeal of buying more modern awards / Super Bowl rings etc...trophies that I DID NOT WIN. However, I think this auction is something different. We do not know who won it or what sport/event it was even for...so it can't be tied to someone or a specific event. This is more of a piece of history than just someone else's award/trophy. Reading up on this, 1st place was awarded a silver medal and second place got bronze so this is the TOP prize from the original modern Olympic Games, 1896 Athens. I even like the design. There were only 43 events across 9 sports so this makes it one out of 43 awarded...doubtful that 43 still exist. If I wasn't so poor...
"If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64 Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner.
Comments
I collect various things, when lots of people would think that I'm crazy. So I do understand that we all have our own quirks.
That said, I cannot begin to understand the attraction of owning a medal won by someone else. Yes, I know that there is a vibrant market in second-hand awards (e.g., Heisman trophies; championship rings; Nobel peace prizes), but I just don't get the charm.
The pre-auction estimate of 26-40k Euros seems way too low.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
One graded 62 sold at an Athens auction in 2023 for 38K euros plus the BP, so the estimate on this one seems safe but not ridiculously low.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Dang, to me that's really cool! Like @124Spider said, I also don't get the appeal of buying more modern awards / Super Bowl rings etc...trophies that I DID NOT WIN. However, I think this auction is something different. We do not know who won it or what sport/event it was even for...so it can't be tied to someone or a specific event. This is more of a piece of history than just someone else's award/trophy. Reading up on this, 1st place was awarded a silver medal and second place got bronze so this is the TOP prize from the original modern Olympic Games, 1896 Athens. I even like the design. There were only 43 events across 9 sports so this makes it one out of 43 awarded...doubtful that 43 still exist. If I wasn't so poor...
Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner.
Meh, I'd rather spend that kind of money on a nice Gobrecht dollar!
"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
running like a water color in the rain...."
It looks like it is in very nice condition. It won't surprise me if it brings more than estimate.
What a cool design! I quite like it.
If i won the auction I'd be able to say I won an Olympic medal.