Rare Silver Medal from 1896 Athens Olympics to be Auctioned by Wannenes

Wannenes auction house will offer a rare silver medal from the inaugural modern Olympic Games in Athens, 1896, as the top lot in its upcoming sale. The auction, focused on coins and medals, is scheduled for April 9 at 3 PM via web-live format. The medal, designated as Lot 143, carries an estimated value between 40,000 and 60,000 euros. Crafted by French medalist Jules-Clément Chaplain and produced by Monnaie de Paris, the piece weighs 66.63 grams and measures 50 millimeters in diameter. Its obverse features a laureate head of Zeus holding a globe topped by a winged Victory with an olive branch, inscribed with the Greek word for Olympia. The reverse depicts a view of the Acropolis with the Parthenon, surrounded by text referencing the 1896 International Olympic Games in Athens. The edge includes the word 'argent' and the cornucopia mark of the Paris mint. The medal comes in its original case, enhancing its collectible significance. Historically, this medal was awarded to winners of the first modern Olympics, initiated by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, with silver chosen over gold to reflect the event's modest ideals. Winners also received an olive branch from Olympia and a diploma, while second-place finishers got bronze or copper medals with laurel branches, and third place received no medal. Official records indicate an estimated mintage of about 100 examples in 1896, but few survive today, mostly held in museums or private collections. The auction highlights the medal's rarity and historical importance as a document of early Olympic history.