Presented here is a 1906 Athens Olympic Intercalated Games third place bronze winner's medal, an important piece of history in the progression of the Modern Olympiad.

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 International Olympic Committee 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 appearance) in 1906. These games took place in Athens from April 22 to May 2 at the Panathenaic Stadium, the same venue of the first Olympics. This event was host to 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 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 or ever again. (The first Winter Games held halfway between each Summer Olympics would not begin until 1924 in Chamonix, France.)

This beautifully struck 3^rd place winner's medal comes in great condition. Designed by Jules Chaplaint, it weighs 58 grams, measures 50 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness. The obverse of the medal displays a laureated head of Zeus’ face holding winged Victory with a laurel branch on a globe. The reverse is a view of Acropolis and Parthenon between the Olympic legend. It looks to be close to MS with very little wear to the high points of the medal. The reverse fields show no evidence of hairline scratches and the wording on the outside edges is still prominently displayed. The medal still has its natural bronze color and has not tarnished through the years. This is the first 1906 winner's medal of any place we have ever handled.