How Much is a Gold Medal Really Worth?

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed)
Mar 2nd 2010 at 7:01AM

The 2010 Winter Olympics are over, with the final United States medal count coming in at 9 Gold, 15 Silver, and 13 Bronze. That's a total of 37 medals making their way back here to the States in the hands of our worthy athletes, and although the sentimental value is truly immeasurable one can't help but wonder: just how much are those medals actually worth?

Here's how it breaks down: a gold medal is made of 550 grams of silver covered with 6 grams of gold, a silver medal is made of 41 grams of copper and 509 grams of silver, and a bronze medal is made of a mix of mostly copper with some tin and zinc. This means that in today's market a gold medal is worth approx $494, a silver medal $260, and a bronze medal just $3.

Interesting to know (I thought the gold medal would be worth more).

Tags: 2010 winter olympics, 2010WinterOlympics, bronze, gold, gold medal, GoldMedal, medals, olympics, silver

Filed under: Jewelry

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Reader Comments (Page 5 of 6)

rw lover Mar 3rd 2010 12:21AM

I don't know about other countries, but in the U.S. those medals can be worth hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars...in endorsment deals.

Congrats to all who won.

Mr. Integrity Mar 3rd 2010 12:34AM

Is it really surprising that a gold metal really isn't gold and the silver metal really isn't silver? That goes right along with the million other deceptive, corrupt thing in our country. How pathetic we can't give our athletes real pure gold and silver.

ivanatlas Mar 3rd 2010 1:56AM

Cooper is a dyslexic ignoramus.with inferior reading comprehension issues.

The silver medal has 509 grams of silver and 41 grams of copper, Cooper. And, if you knew anything about copper, Cooper, you would know the market spot price for copper is currently $3.39 per pound.

Go put on your big shoes, orange wig, baggy pants and red nose and get back to the circus, Cooper the Circus Clown.

Cooper Mar 3rd 2010 1:12PM

Ivan: It seems you are the idiot here. If you could read, you'd realize that I was merely suggesting the possibility that the silver medal is primarily copper, plated with silver - consistent with the author's statements regarding the gold medal composition in the original article. F.U., moron.

Mindy smith Mar 3rd 2010 2:43AM

Cooper I agree. They are amazing and the art of how they are made is priceless. But, the design is not very regal looking. They wind up looking a bit silly. something as traditional and timeless as the Olympics should have a medal that is less "trendy". I like the idea someone mentioned about the front being somewhat traditional and the back of the medal being specific to that event/ city/ whatnot.

Michael Mar 3rd 2010 3:02AM

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/27154056/COMPOSITION-OF-THE-MEDALS-OF-THE-OLYMPIC-GAMES

tickdoc8141 Mar 3rd 2010 3:35AM

Know what is really sad...the bracelets they give out at the WSOP (World series of Poker) are solid 24K gold or Solid Platinum. Just for playing Poker for crying out loud! LOL! I think I would rather play poker for REAL gold! But I agree, the medals are more symbolic than anything. They show that you are of the top three in the WORLD and that is a LOT to be proud of. I was rooting for Canada and the US. I have been to Vancouver and it's true, the people there are awesome (not just becuase they were hosting the Olympics LOL)

j lyon Mar 3rd 2010 3:54AM

All of the medals should be made of 98% actual metals the fact that they are simulated is rediculous!!!! Medals are symbalism and do not have to be that "big" make them a little smaller and make them REAL!

JB Mar 3rd 2010 4:39AM

If the gold medal were made entirely of 18k gold, its bullion value would be over $13,000

david watts Mar 3rd 2010 5:06AM

It looks like rapper bling to one person, or a potato chip? They probably look like a thousand different things to a thousand different people around the planet. I stand with the commentors who are saying standardise the medals in size, with one side, standard and the other individual to the olymic year,etc. These are outstanding ideas. They metal should be jewlery standard alloy. (14karat gold is a gold alloy, other metal added to hardent the pure gold) no matter the cost. These are the flower of the worlds youth, and should not be scrimped on. It should be that when these kids are 110, and are pushed in wheelchairs, that if they wear their medals, kids would see it and say wow thats an olympic medal.

Suzanne Mar 3rd 2010 11:58AM

@David,

Like many on this thread, you have lost the entire meaning of the medal in your attempt to standardize it. Believe me, when grandchildren ask their grandparent about the medal someday, it will be less about the medal (and how it looks) than the story behind it. It is clear that the Olympic Spirit continues to elude some...

Cooper Mar 3rd 2010 1:08PM

Give it a rest Suzanne. What sort of crusade are you on, anyway? I think most on here would agree that in the end it doesn't really matter what the medals look like - that they are priceless to those who have earned them. But, by YOUR OWN argument, how would standardizing the medals or at least making them look like medals diminish that value? Are you saying that former Olympians need uniquely-shaped medals to remember which games they participated in? Or, do you just enjoy arguing (which you aren't necessarily very good at)?

Suzanne Mar 3rd 2010 1:40PM

@Cooper,

I'm the one on a crusade? Seriously. Honestly, debating with you is fruitless. You continue to miss the point entirely. The opinions about the appearance of the medals shouldn't matter...the meanings behind the medals should. I shared the original link about the design of the medals in the hopes that you would deviate from your rather shallow comparison of them to rap and food, but obviously that did not sink in. My approach when responding to Robert is no different from my approach when responding to you. It is the stories that will be told about the medals and the athletes that will be meaningful. I felt that the link about Vancouver offered a story, whereas your rather opinionated statement about "rapper bling" did not. Regardless, I highly doubt that the athletes will be discussing how their medals look like potato chips or warped CDs 50 years from now, with their grandkids.

Paul Eriksen Mar 3rd 2010 5:01AM

Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. So what is the big deal with that?

ro Mar 3rd 2010 6:24AM

SO WHAT -

ro Mar 3rd 2010 6:24AM

everything is changing for the WORSE. things use to be nice - no more. every thing SUCKS

robert Mar 3rd 2010 10:21AM

I am talking about total events

the US was first place in only 9 events
Canada was first place in 14 events

i don't see the silvers or bronzes counting for anything after all only first place matters either you win something or you don't

Suzanne Mar 3rd 2010 10:56AM

Great sportsmanship, Robert. This whole thread has devolved into an argument about how "ugly" the medals are to some people, how they don't have enough gold, medal or bronze in them, and now how MANY medals one team one over another? Pathetic. Any medal, of any size, shape or color should be an honor, as it represents the blood, sweat & tears and years of sacrifice to a sport. Frankly, just being an Olympian, with or without a medal, is amazing. Your attitude of "i don't see the silvers or bronzes counting for anything after all only first place matters either you win something or you don't " is reprehensible, and frankly it sounds like something a six-year-old would say, except that my six-year-old knows better!

GlobalDia Mar 3rd 2010 1:29PM

great article...i had been wondering of the medals are solid gold or what.

as for the design, i think theyre great looking and very contemporary. suitable to todays design esthetic.

and that first post with the link to the royal mint was awesome too.

Cooper Mar 3rd 2010 1:22PM

Here's a whole new angle I just thought up: If an Olympic bronze medal only contains $3.00 worth of bronze, why do I pay $10 for my kids' cheap plastic little league trophies???

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