A gold medal from the 1904 St. Louis Olympics, the first Games held in the US, is up for auction, reflecting a momentous chapter in Olympic history. The medal, awarded to Fred Schule for the 110-meter hurdles, comes with its original ribbon and leather case. Unlike today's gold-plated silver medals, the 1904 medals were entirely gold. Bobby Eaton of RR Auction notes the rarity of such an item, stating, "No one really knows exactly how many 1904 Olympic gold medals are still out there," adding that the few remaining medals are typically ensconced in private collections or museums.
The 1904 Olympics were marked by various controversies and unique events. Initially intended for Chicago, the Games were relocated to St. Louis due to a clash with the World's Fair organizers. The Olympics saw odd events like "Anthropology Days," where indigenous participants from the World's Fair were abruptly asked to compete. Additionally, this was the debut year for boxing and freestyle wrestling in the Olympics, alongside now-defunct sports like croquet and tug of war. Fred Lorz's infamous attempted win of the marathon by car also colored these Games with controversy.
The auction features other historic Olympic memorabilia, such as a bronze medal from 2024 Paris Olympics and other gold medals from various years. This sale reflects a robust market for Olympic collectibles. In 2022, a silver medal from the 1936 Olympics fetched over $488,000, underlining the value attached to these emblematic symbols of athletic achievement. Athletes also sell medals for charitable causes, contributing to the market's dynamic nature. The next Summer Olympics are slated for Los Angeles in 2028. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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