Presented here is a gilt-bronze participation medal from the 1906 Athens "Intercalated Games" with its original presentation case. Comprised of bronze and plated in gold, these scarce medals were issued only to important dignitaries and high-ranking Olympic officials. Its lovely design is identical to the 1896 participation medals issued at the First Modern Olympic Games. Only a few hundred gilt-bronze medals were struck, making it by far the rarest version.

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 1906 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. These 1906 Athens participation medals was produced from the unused inventory of the 1896 Athens Olympics, the only difference being a “1906” plaque soldered over the 1896 year.

This medal comes in VF condition with slight oxidation on both sides from its nearly 120 years of existence. The gilt has aged quite well and still maintains a decent glow from its original gold plating. There is a tiny chip on the obverse that has browned over time. A nice bonus is that it comes with its original brown presentation case (VG), a rare combo for Olympic collectors.

More on the “Intercalated Games”

After successfully hosting the Games of the I Olympiad in Athens in 1896, Greek authorities longed to keep the Games in Greece. However, it was Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a French Aristocrat, who envisioned the modern version of the Olympiad as we now know it, with the Games being truly international and having no permanent home. The concept of an "Intercalated Games", whereby every four years – halfway between the international games – there would be intermediate Summer Games held in Athens, was first proposed by the IOC in 1901. Because the Games of the II Olympiad were held in conjunction with the 1900 Paris Exposition Games (World's Fair), those Games found limited success. Thus, the idea of a quadrennial "Greek Games" in Athens at the two-year mark between the traditional Olympics seemed appealing.

The first Intercalated Games made its debut – and only occurrence – in 1906 from April 22 to May 2 at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens (same venue as before). This event hosted 854 athletes (848 men and six women) across 20 countries. Even though these Greek Games would not continue, they would make great contributions to the modern Olympics of today. The 1906 games were the first to require all athletes to register through the National Olympic Committees. They also gave birth to the Opening Ceremonies with athletes marching into the stadium in national Olympic teams behind their respective flags, as well as the Closing Ceremonies and the raising of national flags for medal winners. Despite much success at the 1906 Intercalated Games, organizers ultimately determined the quick turnaround from international to intermediate and back was not sustainable. There were no “Greek Games” after the 1908 London Olympics. (The first Winter Games held halfway between each Summer Olympics would not begin until 1924 in Chamonix, France.)