Presented here is a gilt-bronze participation medal from the inaugural 1896 Athens Summer Olympics complete with its original presentation case. Comprised of bronze and plated in gold, these rare medals were issued only to important dignitaries and high-ranking Olympic officials. Its elegant design is identical to the silvered bronze participation medals presented to lesser dignitaries and the solid bronze versions awarded to athletes competing in these first Modern Games of the I Olympiad. Only a few hundred gilt-bronze medals were struck, making it by far the rarest among the three versions.

Designed by Nikephoros Lytras and minted by W. Pittner (Austria), it weighs 60 grams and measures 50 mm in diameter and 3.5 mm thick. The obverse depicts a seated Nike, Goddess of Victory, holding a laurel wreath over the Phoenix (immortal bird in Greek mythology) and emerging from flames with Acropolis in the background. The reverse has the 1896 Athens Olympic legend in Greek surrounded by a laurel wreath. The Immolation of the Phoenix and emergence from the ashes symbolize the rebirth of the Olympic Games after a hiatus of more than 1,500 years.

This medal comes in VF shape with a darkened central spot on each side likely due to oxidation from its nearly 130 years of existence. The gilt, however, has aged remarkably well and still maintains a lovely shine from its original gold plating. We sold one of these in our last auction for $19,200. A huge bonus to this one is that it comes with its original brown presentation case (EX), a truly rare combo for esteemed Olympic collectors.