1952 Olympic Helsinki Gold Medal

1952 Olympic Helsinki Gold Medal

In 1952, Helsinki was finally able to host the Olympic Games, their 1940 effort having been cancelled due to World War II. As just the second Olympiad held after the war, athletes seemingly went into overdrive in surpassing long-held records in many of the events – in fact, the 1952 Games boasted more records broken until surpassed by the 2008 Beijing Games. While we are not certain which event this Gold Medal was award for, it is, none-the-less, an outstanding artifact from that record setting Summer Games. The front of the medal was designed by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli and depicts the goddess of victory holding a palm in her left hand and the winner’s crown in her right with “XV OLYMPIA HELSINKI 1952” in raised letters. The reverse depicts a victorious athlete being carried in triumph by the crowd, with the Olympic Stadium in the background. Measuring 51mm in diameter, the piece displays a "916M/Y6" factory hallmark on the edge. Portions of the original gold plate have worn away revealing the Gilt silver base. Despite the loss of finish, the details of Giuseppe Cassioli’s work remains sharp. Only 320 of these Gold Medals were minted, making it one of the more sought-after Olympic prizes.