A silver medal from the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 has far exceeded expectations at auction, selling for roughly four times its projected top estimate at a Danish auction house on Sunday.
The medal fetched DKK 900,000 (approximately $141,659 or RM 658,000) before buyer’s fees, or DKK 1,152,000 (around $181,323 or RM 842,000) including premiums, at the online sale held by Bruun Rasmussen Arts Auctioneers. Pre-sale estimates had valued the historic piece between DKK 200,000 and 300,000 ($31,480–$47,220 or RM 146,000–RM 219,000).
Designed by French artist Jules-Clement Chaplain, the medal depicts Zeus holding a globe topped with Nike, the Goddess of Victory, while brandishing an olive branch. The reverse features the Acropolis and Parthenon, along with a Greek inscription translating to “International Olympic Games – Athens 1896.”
The 1896 Athens Games saw 241 athletes from 14 nations compete, including Denmark.
The auction house noted that Viggo Jensen became Denmark’s first Olympic weightlifting champion but could not confirm if this particular medal was awarded for that achievement.
($1 = 6.3530 Danish crowns; $1 ≈ RM 4.64)
