gold medal

"Miracle On Ice" Gold Medal Up For Auction

For the second time in just a week we are seeing another of the world's most prized trophies, an Olympic gold medal, go up for auction. The first 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Olympic hockey gold medal ever offered in a public auction is estimated to sell for $100,000 or more next month. It is being offered in a sports memorabilia auction to be conducted by Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas and online on November 5, 2010.

"It is the first time any of the Olympic gold medals awarded to the 20 players of the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' U.S. hockey team that defeated the Soviet Union has ever been offered in a public auction, and it should bring six figures. This gold medal was awarded to Mark Wells, then 21 years old and a center for the U.S. team," said Chris Ivy, Director of Heritage Sports Collectibles.

Tags: gold medal, gold medal for sale, heritage auctions, mike wells, olympic gold medal

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Olympic Sprinter Tommie Smith's Gold Medal Up For Sale

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Sports

Olympic sprinter Tommie Smith's decision to auction off his 1968 Olympic gold medal for the 200 meter dash has caused quite a stir. Smith is no stranger to controversy, when he received the metal in Mexico City he raised his fist in protest while on the victory stand. Smith later wrote a book "Silent Gesture" about that moment and his experiences afterward. Smith's co-author on that book, David Steele, mentioned on our sibling blog FanHouse that Smith put the medal up for auction once before, in 1999.

This time it's for sale through Moments in Time Memorabilia along with his Puma spikes and a signed and notarized letter from Smith. The opening bid is $250,000. SF Weekly reports that so far there hasn't been a bid on the lot. The auction will end November 4. Gary Zimet, a representative of Moments in Time Memorabilia has said that Smith needs the money but "is not desperate."

Tags: gold medal, olympic gold medal, sports memorabilia, tommie smith

How Much is a Gold Medal Really Worth?

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

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).

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

Olympic Swimmer Loses Medal On Plane

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports

He may be beaming in the picture above but Olympic swimmer Brendan Hansen wasn't too happy recently when he found that his gold medal had gone missing. Hansen, who won the gold in the 4x100m medley relay, found that his medal was missing after he flew from Philadelphia to Austin, Texas. His medal was looked at by security personnel at Philadelphia International Airport but it was reportedly put back in the bag. Hansen put the bag under the seat in front of him on the plane and fell asleep. The plane had a layover in Nashville and then Hansen found the medal was missing after he landed in Texas.

MyFox Philadelphia reports that a passenger on board the flight found the medal on the floor of the plane and called the FBI. Now Hansen and his medal will be happily reunited although I suspect he might keep it a bit closer next time he travels.

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Tags: brendan hansen, BrendanHansen, gold medal, GoldMedal, olympics, swimmer, travel

Jason Kidd Gives His Gold Medal To The Wynns

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports

Most people, when they get an Olympic gold medal hang onto it for dear life. Jason Kidd, who played on the Olympic basketball team however is giving his away. And to whom? No other than Elaine Wynn, wife of casino mogul Steve Wynn. It turns out that Kidd met Mrs. Wynn last year while he and the rest of the U.S. team were staying at the Wynn while training in Las Vegas. They got to talking over a banquet and Kidd promised that if the team won the gold he would give her his medal. No, he's not in debt to the house, Kidd says it's just a thank you because "the way they treated us at the Wynn, it was the least I could do." I'm hoping the Wynns display the medal at one of their hotels.

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Tags: elaine wynn, ElaineWynn, gold medal, jason kidd, JasonKidd, sports, wynn