Historic Olympic Medal Fetches Record Price at Auction

On March 1, 2026, a silver medal from the inaugural modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 was sold at Bruun Rasmussen Arts Auctioneers in Denmark for 900,000 Danish kroner (approximately $141,658.67) excluding buyer's premium, or 1,152,000 Danish kroner (around $181,323.09) including fees. This sale price was significantly higher than the estimated range of 200,000 to 300,000 Danish kroner ($31,480 to $47,220). The auction attracted considerable interest from collectors worldwide, highlighting the medal's historical significance.

The Straits TimesReutersWorld’s First Olympic Medal Sold for DKK 900,000 at Bruun Rasmussen

The medal, engraved by French artist Jules-Clement Chaplain, features an image of Zeus holding a globe, topped by Nike, the Goddess of Victory, who is depicted with an olive branch. The reverse side showcases the Acropolis and Parthenon, accompanied by a Greek inscription that translates to "International Olympic Games - Athens 1896." The 1896 Games marked a pivotal moment in sports history, featuring 241 athletes from 14 countries, including Denmark, which saw Viggo Jensen become the nation's first Olympic champion in weightlifting.

World’s First Olympic Medal Sold for DKK 900,000 at Bruun RasmussenReutersThe Straits Times

Christian Grundtvig, Head of the Coins and Stamps Department at Bruun Rasmussen, expressed enthusiasm about the auction's outcome, describing the medal as a "unicorn" among collectors due to its unique blend of Olympic and cultural history. He emphasized that the sale represents one of the most remarkable achievements in the field of numismatics for the auction house. The global interest in the medal underscores its value not only as a sports artifact but also as a piece of cultural heritage.

World’s First Olympic Medal Sold for DKK 900,000 at Bruun Rasmussen

Despite the excitement surrounding the sale, Bruun Rasmussen could not confirm whether the medal was specifically awarded to Viggo Jensen for his weightlifting performance. This uncertainty raises questions about the provenance of the medal, which may affect its perceived value among collectors and historians.

World’s First Olympic Medal Sold for DKK 900,000 at Bruun Rasmussen

• “We are absolutely thrilled about today’s result. The Olympic medal represents a 'unicorn' among international collectors — a rare fusion of Olympic and cultural history. This is a piece of memorabilia of such extraordinary caliber that news of the sale has reached audiences worldwide. It is, without doubt, one of the most remarkable sales within the field of numismatics in the history of our auction house,” — Christian Grundtvig, Head of the Coins and Stamps Department at Bruun Rasmussen.

World’s First Olympic Medal Sold for DKK 900,000 at Bruun Rasmussen

• “This is a piece of memorabilia of such extraordinary caliber that news of the sale has reached audiences worldwide.” — Christian Grundtvig.

World’s First Olympic Medal Sold for DKK 900,000 at Bruun Rasmussen

The sale of this historic Olympic medal not only reflects the growing interest in sports memorabilia but also highlights the ongoing fascination with the origins of the modern Olympic movement.

World’s First Olympic Medal Sold for DKK 900,000 at Bruun Rasmussen