Presented here is a stunning and exceptionally rare artifact from the 1900 Paris Summer Olympics: a 1st Place Winners Gold Medal for Automobile Racing during a time when motorsport was gaining worldwide popularity. What makes this gold medal so special is that it is made of solid 22 karat gold (91.6%) as opposed to the gold-plated silver composition used in the overwhelming majority of winners medals issued at these Games. (After 1912 all gold medals were composed of gold-plated silver). In fact most 1900 Olympic medal winners did not receive medals at all; they were instead handed out cups or trophies. 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.

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 if they were competing in Olympic events. The exposition lasted over five months from May 14 to October 28. There were 85 events across 19 sports. 24 nations participated for a total of 997 athletes. The 1900 Paris Olympics were noteworthy for many reasons. They were the first Games to be held outside of Greece the first to feature female competitors and the only Games to ever include motorsport. Automobile racing was an "unofficial" sport and included 14 events. The event for which this medal was awarded is unknown. One notable winner was renowned French industrialist and automobile pioneer Louis Renault whose revolutionary manufacturing company bears his name. He won the Paris-Toulouse-Paris small car race but received prize money for his victory instead of a gold medal because he competed as a professional not an amateur. The fact that they awarded medals made almost entirely of pure gold to amateur motor racing winners and issued gold-plated silver medals to track & field champions says all you need to know about the significance of motorsport at the turn of the century.

This spectacular 22 karat gold medal is remarkably well-preserved showing only the slightest tint of oxidation on one side. Its magnificent design retains sharp detail for being struck 115 years ago. Minor wear is evident which in no way detracts from its overall beauty. It weighs a dense 92 grams (3.3 ounces)34 grams more than gold-plated silver examples (see lots 1039 & 1040). By comparison the solid gold medals issued for the 1904 1908 and 1912 Olympic Games were no heavier than 30 grams. The dimensions of the plaque are 59mm by 41mm by 3mm thick. Made by Paris Mint it is accurately marked OR (meaning gold) on the rim with the minters cornucopia symbol. Designed by Frdric Vernon the obverse displays a victorious athlete standing on a podium inscribed "CONCOURS DAUTOMOBILES" ("Automobiles 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. Comes in its original brown presentation case. This same exact medal was purchased at auction for $77418 in 2012. No other solid gold medal of its kind has ever surfaced in the hobby. The IOC Museum in Lausanne Switzerland has the only other solid gold medal example (also for Automobile Racing); however its condition is significantly poorer. This one presents Near Mint. The 22 karat gold content has been thoroughly inspected tested and verified by Swiss professional jewelry expert Jean-Jacques Mamie.