FIRST PLACE OLYMPIC MEDAL, ATHENS 1896

Details

FIRST PLACE OLYMPIC MEDAL, ATHENS 1896
silver medal designed by J.C.Chaplain (1839-1909), the obverse inscribed 'Olympia', the edge inscribed 'Argent' and the reverse inscribed (in Greek),'First International Olympic Games in Athens, 1896'
together with the original brown case, lined with blue fabric
2in. (5cm.) diam.

Provenance

Gifted to Nikolaos Stavridis, the doctor to The Greek Royal Palace in 1896 and by descent to the present owner.

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Lot Essay

At the first modern Olympic games first place winners were awarded a silver medal, an olive branch and a diploma. (Gold medals were not awarded until the 1904 games in Saint Louis.)
It is understood that this medal was intended to be awarded to the winner of the boat race that year. However strong winds and rough seas forced the cancellation of the event and thus the winners medals were withdrawn. Upon their return to The Greek Royal Palace the medals were gifted to Nikolaos Starvidis, the doctor to the palace.

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