When was the last time that solid gold medals were awarded at the Olympic games?

Medals were not awarded at the ancient Olympic Games, but at the modern Olympic Games, winners of a sporting discipline receive a gold medal in recognition of their achievement.

At the 1896 Summer Olympics, winners received a silver medal and the second-place finisher received a bronze medal. In 1900, most winners received cups or trophies instead of medals. The next three Olympics (1904, 1908, 1912) awarded the winners solid gold medals, but the medals themselves were smaller. The use of gold rapidly declined with the onset of the First World War and also with the onset of the Second World War. The last series of Olympic medals to be made of solid gold were awarded at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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49 Comments

William Laughlin

KP, They are not being cheap; it is simple economics. Currently, gold goes for $1,285.10/ounce. Considering the number of gold medals, 812 minted in Rio, the price for gold awards alone would run over $70 million if they continued to give solid gold medals. The gold medals from the Rio Olympics typically weight 3.35 pounds. We're they solid gold, their value would be in the neighborhood of $76,000.00 apiece. Besides, it's the honor of being first that counts, not the monetary value of the physical award, especially because athletes never cash in their medals. Besides that, many countries reward their athletes financially. The cash prizes awarded to athletes are different from country to country and the usual big guns like United States only offer around $25,000 for winning the gold, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for Bronze while Azerbaijan awards $510,000 to the winner of gold, $255,000 for silver, and $130,000 for bronze. But you have to take into account that athletes who wins Gold for the USA, UK, Australia, etc., can hit a jackpot in terms of endorsement deals which can be much more cash rewarding compared to just the one off payment. Here is the value of the most recent Summer Olympics Medals: Gold: $600.00. The gold medals consist of just 1% actual gold, 92.5% silver, and 6.16% copper. Silver: $325.00. While in the silver medal, the gold is replaced by more copper, the rest of the material is the same as the gold medal. Bronze: $3.00. The Bronze medal however is 97% copper and 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin and has little intrinsic value.

Gary S. Hughes

I just thought the earliest date would be mostly the correct answer, based on golds value

Maia

In the original Olympic games,,the winner received a crown of basil.

Wyla Reedy

Come on. All that money the games bring in, plus the effort of the Athlete.

Colleen Finch

williamrlaughlin, thank you for that very interesting.

tbear

Gold really didn't start going up until a few years ago! When I was working in a jewelry store between 1970 - 1973 it was only $37.00 an oz. Now look at the price!

tbear

Good to know! Thought they were still solid gold!

robert karel

williamrlaughlin, blah blah blah, blahblahblah blah!

robert karel

williamrlaughlin, ...Were they solid gold, their...

robert karel

williamrlaughlin, ever thought about being a columnist with a news paper?

vinnie

Excellent infowilliamrlaughlin,

Fred Keogh

williamrlaughlin. Some good information there, taught me something, Thanks

vasily tchaikovsky

very good Q and A thanks ,but easy,special thanks to Mr. William, very good info.but US increased now offers for medals , Azerb. could offer even $ 1 mlns...... what about $500 for gold in Soviet Union?