Presented here is a lovely first-place winner’s Olympic gold medal from the 1924 Paris Summer Games. This is the third one we have ever listed at auction, and the first since 2019. Highlights from these Games included: American Johnny Weissmuller – who went on to play the original role of Tarzan in 1932 – winning three gold medals in swimming; the rivalry between British sprinters Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell depicted decades later in the epic film Chariots of Fire; and the debut of the Olympic motto, “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (Faster, Higher, Stronger), which would eventually be engraved on four Winter Olympics medals (1932, 1936, 1952 and 1956). USA dominated the medal count with 99 total and 45 golds, while Finland finished second with 37 total medals and 14 golds, respectively.

Designed by André Rivaud and minted by Paris Mint, it is made of gold-plated gilt silver (as were all post-1912 gold winner's medals), weighing 80 grams and measuring 55 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick. The obverse shows a winning athlete helping a fallen athlete to stand, with “A.RIVAUD” engraved next to Olympic rings below. The reverse shows an array of sporting equipment surrounding “VIIeme OLYMPIADE PARIS 1924”. Stamped on rim is the cornucopia symbol used as the official hallmark of the French Mint and "2 ARGENT” to denote its internal silver composition. Incredibly well-preserved in both color and texture, the medal presents in EF condition with little handling evident. Its gold plating still retains a shiny glow. Golds from 1924 Paris rarely surface, and this is among the best exemplars you will find in the hobby. Unfortunately, the case is missing.

The provenance of this medal has multiple degrees of separation from its recipient but is worth mentioning for posterity – and a good story to tell by the fire. According to our consignor, the medal could possibly be attributed to American sprinter Jackson Scholz – the third real-life protagonist from Chariots of Fire. Scholz won gold in the 200 meters at the 1924 Paris Olympics and took silver in 100 behind Harold Abrahams of England. The 100-meter favorite, Eric Liddell, refused to run the qualifying heats on Sunday due to his religious beliefs, and therefore could not run in the final. Instead, he focused on the 400 meters and won another gold for England. Scholz – portrayed by actor Brad Davis – passed away in 1986, five years after the movie was released and won four Oscars including Best Picture. The consignor attests to acquiring the medal from a collector who apparently procured it from the estate of a Scholz in-law several years ago. If only there was more paperwork to fully map its trail.