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Olympic Medal Trifecta

Announcement posted by Michael Krape Consulting 04 Feb 2025

TRIFECTA OF OLYMPIC MEDALS

 

Auction of three medals (gold, silver and bronze) from the one Olympics is rare . . . and a collector's dream

Acquiring Olympic medals is no less a prize for collectors as it is for the athletes who win them.

 

In the history of the modern Olympics (dating from Athens, 1896), only 21,334 gold, silver and bronze medals have been awarded to competitors in the summer and winter games. 

 

The 1956 Summer Olympics were the first to be hosted by Australia. Dubbed 'The Friendly Games', Australia made it's mark on the world stage, winning 13 gold, 8 silver and 14 bronze; ranking 3rd overall. 

 

The vast majority of those medals are retained by the athletes or family members, while some are donated to museums and other institutions relevant to the sport or the athlete.

 

While there is no definitive information about the number of medals acquired by collectors, Charles Leski, believes it is relatively small.  

"I'm not aware of any recent auction anywhere in the world when a gold, silver and bronze medal from a single Olympic Games has been offered for sale," Mr Leski said. "In collecting circles, Olympic medals are highly sought after.  Collectors tell us that one of the drivers behind their interest is the determination and unyielding commitment of an athlete to be the best in the world in their chosen sport. 

 

"Unlike most international competitions, the Olympics are only held every four years.  So much can go wrong in the preparation for an Olympics or during the actual competition.  Under these circumstances, to earn a medal of any colour is a celebration of human achievement, rarely seen in other walks of life."

 

Leski Auctions is offering three medals from the 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics.  

 

The first is the Gold medal awarded to Anthony 'Tippy' Marchant from Australia in the 2000m Tandem Cycling Final. 
Designed by Giuseppe Cassioli, and minted by K.G. Luke, the medla is presented below in its original case with XVIth Olympiad / (Olympic Rings) / MELBOURNE/1956 sticker on top. 

 

 

 (This is classified as Superb condition and extremely rare, with a Pre-sale estimate is $30,000 - $40,000.)

 

Also for sale is the Bronze medal awarded to Nicholas Gargano of Great Britain, in Boxing.

 

The recipient of the Silver is unknown; as Olympic medals never include the participant's name, and medals from 1956 did not detail the sporting discipline for which the medal was awarded. With just 118 silver silver medals awarded at Melbourne's games (and most accounted for), this is a mystery waiting to be solved!  

 

The auction will be held on February 12 & 13 from 12.00pm.  Details can be found at www.leski.com.au

 

About Leski Auctions
Leski Auctions was established in 1973. Today, it is regarded as one of Australia's leading auctioneers of Sporting Memorabilia, Australian Art & Antiques, Collectibles and World Philately.  Among the many significant collections that Leski Auctions has been privileged to sell are those of Shirley Strickland, Ron Clarke, Sir Reginald Ansett and former RSL President, Bruce Ruxton.  It has sold more Brownlow Medals and 'baggy green' caps than any other auction house in the world.

 

Charles Leski is a registered valuer for the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts' Cultural Gifts Program.  He is also the valuer of the displayed items at the National Sports Museum at the MCG, Melbourne.  

The company is located at 727-729 High Street Armadale, Victoria 3143 Australia.  
Tel +61 3 8539 6150/+61 412 053 692 and www.leski.com.au
 

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