Uruguay football/soccer hero Alcides Ghiggia was presented with this attractive award medal after leading his country to its historic triumph at the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Down 1-0 to the heavily favored host nation in the final match at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracanã Stadium, Ghiggia assisted on the equalizer when he set up midfielder Juan Alberto Schiaffino with a pinpoint cross in the 66th minute. The right winger then knocked in the game-winner in the 79th minute as Uruguay held on for an unlikely 2-1 victory to claim La Celeste's second ever Jules Rimet Trophy. The shocking loss became a national tragedy in Brazil, forever remembered as the Maracanazo ["The Blow of Maracanã"].

The offered Jules Rimet Cup medal features a raised relief depiction of a footballer on the obverse. The back shows a large crest (resembling a sheriff's badge) in raised relief along with "Taca Jules Rimet - Ao Vencedor - A. Ghiggia - 1950” neatly inscribed. Being that Taca ["Cup"] and Ao Vendecor ["To the Winner"] are both in Portuguese, this medal appears to have been struck in Brazil shortly after Uruguay's World Cup title. The "Montini" hallmark on the lower front stands for either the medal minter or perhaps the Italian surname of Pope Paul VI who served from at the Vatican from 1920 to 1954 (We found a few religious medals and coins minted around the same time stamped with this name). The thin, intricately-designed silver medal measures 30 mm across and 34 mm tall (not including the loop on top) with a weight of 10 grams. It remains in wonderful condition with a smooth and shiny surface. Includes a letter of provenance regarding previous ownership.