Featured here is a rare artifact from the 1900 Paris Summer Olympics: a 1st Place Winners Gold Medal for Swimming. The Games of the II Olympiad were held in conjunction with the French capital's famous International Exposition of 1900 more commonly known as the Worlds Fair. The 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis were the only other Games held in conjunction with the Worlds Fair. Under such circumstances there were no opening or closing ceremonies and some athletes did not know that they were competing in Olympic events. The exposition lasted over five months from May 14 to October 28. The 1900 Paris Olympics were also noteworthy in that they were the second modern Games the first to be held outside of Greece and the first to feature female competitors (although only 22 women competed). In addition these were the only Games in which all winners medals issued (gold silver or bronze) came in the unique form of rectangular-shaped plaques.

There were 85 events across 19 sports. 24 nations participated for a total of 997 athletes. In swimming seven events were held with 76 athletes from 12 countries. Great Britain Germany and Australia each had the most gold medals (two) but it was the French hosts who won the medal count with five. John Arthur Jarvis of Great Britain and Frederick Lane of Australia each won two individual gold medals apiece. The original recipient of this particular gold medal is unknown. The overwhelming majority of gold medals awarded to 1st place winners were composed of gold-plated silver. (After 1912 all gold medals were composed of gold-plated silver). A very select number of Olympic champions at the 1900 Paris Games received solid gold medals (see Lot 1038). In fact most 1900 Olympic medal winners did not even receive medals; they were instead handed out cups or trophies.

This rare 1900 gold medal is remarkably well-preserved. Its magnificent design retains sharp detail for being struck 115 years ago. The medal plaque weighs 58 grams (2.1 ounces) and measures 59mm by 41 mm by 3mm thick. The rim is accurately marked ARGENT (meaning Silver) signifying the Vermeil composition and also has Paris Mints cornucopia symbol. Designed by Frdric Vernon the obverse displays a victorious athlete standing on a podium inscribed "CONCOURS DE NATATION" ("Swimming Competition"). Few Olympic Games issued winners medals with the event inscribed. The reverse shows Nike winged Goddess of Victory scattering laurel branches over Paris exposition grounds with the inscriptions REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE PARIS 1900 EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE and designer F.VERNON marked at the bottom. The front has some green markings from either light handling or oxidation but it certainly does not detract from the medals lovely aesthetics. Overall it presents in EX-MT condition. The gold-plated silver composition has been thoroughly inspected tested and verified by Swiss professional jewelry expert Jean-Jacques Mamie.