The 1956 Winter Games, officially the VII Winter Olympiad, were held in Cortina D'Ampezzo in the Dolomite mountains of northeastern Italy. These were the first Winter Olympics televised to a multi-national audience. There were 32 competing countries, making it the largest number of participating nations in a Winter Games to that point. A total of 819 athletes competed in 24 events across 4 sports. The Soviet Union made its Winter Olympics debut and won more medals than any nation.

Presented here is a stunning 1st place winner's gold medal, measuring 60 mm in diameter and 4 mm thick and weighing 118 grams. It was designed by Constantino Affer and minted by Lorioli Bros. Ltd. (Milan, Italy). The obverse reads "VII GIOCHI OLIMPICI INVERNALI" ("Winter Olympic Games") in raised lettering with "COST.AFFER" and "LORIOLI" inscribed; it features an idolized head of a woman with the Olympic rings over her head and a flaming torch at her left. The reverse has the Olympic motto "CITIUS ALTIUS FORTIUS" (Latin for "Faster, Higher, Stronger") above and "CORTINA 1956" below with a large ice crystal over Mt. Pomagagnon in the middle; "800" is inscribed at lower right to denote the medals content of 80% pure silver and 20% alloy. It is plated in gold as are all post-1912 first place winner's medals. The recipient and event are unknown as no 1956 Winter Olympic medals provided these details. This gleaming example has been extremely well-preserved and presents beautifully in Mint condition. It is the first '56 Winter Gold we've ever had the pleasure of auctioning and certainly ranks as one of the finest in the market.