2017-06-30 Fri

A gilt silver first-place winner’s medal from the 1920 Antwerp Games is being offered by RR Auction’s online sale with an estimate of $12,000+. The medal comes with its original red leather presentation case which has a lid that is gilt-printed.

The obverse features a victorious athlete holding a laurel wreath and palm branch. A statue of Renommee is seen behind the athlete. The reverse shows Brabo fountain above the Antwerp shield. A cathedral and cityscape are seen behind. 29 nations took part in the VII Olympiad in Antwerp. Hungary, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire were all banned as they were involved in World War I.

There were financial problems in organising the games. Less gold was used to gild the silver-based medals. The gold plating faded quickly making the so-called gold medals look completely silver. The offered medal has some gold on the edge and recessed areas.