Updated: November 1, 2023
Here are seven obscure Olympic medal facts courtesy of the Money Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The Money Museum is currently exhibiting “Olympic Games—History &Numismatic," honoring the history, ideals and pageantry of the world’s finest athletic event.
The last series of medals made of solid gold were awarded at the 1912 Summer Olympic Games in Stockholm. Traditionally, Olympic gold medals are required to be made from at least 92.5% silver, and must contain a minimum of 6 grams of gold.
The Olympic Motto, “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (“Faster, Higher, Stronger”), has been the official motto of the Games since 1924. The motto has been featured on four Winter Games medals, but does not appear on any medals from the Summer Games.
During the first modern Olympics in 1896, first-place athletes were crowned with an olive wreath and awarded a silver medal. It was not until the 1904 Summer Olympic Games in St Louis, that the now-famous gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded.
Olympic medal designs have varied considerably over time. Award medals presented at the Summer Games tend to lean on a classical design, whereas medals awarded at the Winter Games have a more freestyle layout. The Winter Games medals are generally larger, thicker, and heavier than those for the Summer Games.
Winning athletes are often photographed biting their medals. This is usually at the photographer’s request, and is based on the ancient practice of biting into gold to test its purity and authenticity.
From 1912 to 1948, art competitions were held as part of the Olympic Games, and medals were awarded for works of art inspired by sport. The five categories included: architecture, literature, music painting, and sculpture.
With 18 Olympic gold medals, Michael Phelps holds the all-time medal record. The record for most gold medals held by a woman belongs to Larisa Latynina, a former Soviet gymnast, with nine.
“Olympic Games—History & Numismatics" is currently on exhibit at the Money Museum in Colorado Springs, Colo. The exhibit features rare Syracusan dekadrachms (Greek coins) awarded during the fifth century B.C.; a 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics bronze medallion designed by the famed Karl Goetz; a complete set of award medals from the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics and 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics courtesy of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee; plus participation medals, torches and even a few mascots.
For more information visit www.money.org/money-museum or call 719-632-2646. Learn more about Olympic City USA.
Money Museum818 N Cascade Ave
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum200 S Sierra Madre St
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909
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