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≡ AUCTION 98 ≡
Ingrid O’Neil’s Auction 98 of unique Olympic and Olympic-sport memorabilia is now open and available for bidding, with 401 lots spanning the entire history of the modern Olympic Movement, from the first Games in Athens in 1896 to today.
As usual, most of the star attractions are Olympic medals and torches, but with a surprise item with the highest starting bid this time:
● $240,000: 1964 Sapporo Olympic Winter badge collection
● $180,000: 1968 Grenoble Olympic Winter torch
● $75,000: 1896 Athens Olympic winner’s medal, with case
● $55,000: 1992 Albertville Olympic Winter torch
● $45,000: 2012 London Olympic gold medal
● $35,000: 1896 Athens Olympic silver medal
● $35,000: 2012 London Olympic silver medal
● $30,000: 2020 Tokyo Olympic silver medal, and pin
● $30,000: 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medal, with case
● $26,000: 1976 Montreal Olympic silver medal, with case
● $26,000: 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter gold medal, with case
● $25,000: 2012 London Olympic bronze medal
● $24,000: 1936 Berlin Int’l Olympic Committee Chain of Office
● $22,000: 1956 Melbourne Olympic torch
● $22,000: 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter silver medal, with case
● $20,000: 1956 Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympic Winter torch
● $20,000: 1956 Melbourne Olympic torch
● $20,000: 1964 Tokyo Imperial Family badge
● $20,000: 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter bronze medal, with case
● $20,000: 2016 Rio Olympic silver medal
● $20,000: 2024 Paris Olympic torch (2 available)
● $18,000: 1992 Albertville Olympic Winter silver medal
● $12,000: 1956 Stockholm Olympic equestrian bronze medal
● $12,000: 1988 Calgary Olympic Winter silver medal
● $11,000: 1964 Innsbruck Olympic Winter silver medal
● $10,000: 1904 St. Louis Olympic participation medal
● $10,000: 1964 Tokyo Olympic torch
The Sapporo badge collection is really unique, as described:
“Professionally displayed in a wooden glazed case, 110x97cm (43.3”x38.2”). The display also includes a full set of Official Badges, a full set of Team Official Badges and a full set of Competitor Badges. The collection comes from the Estate of the President of the Sapporo Games, and a metal plate with his title is included in the display. This is possibly the only full set of Sapporo 1972 badges worldwide. Perfect condition.”
Badges for the Imperial Family and the Japanese Prime Minister are included in the collection and although just medal and cloth, these items are desperately sought by collectors and such a complete, as-new set of an entire Games is exceptionally rare.
It would take some as stunning unique as the Sapporo badges to have a higher starting price than an ultra-rare 1968 Grenoble Winter Games torch, of which only 33 were made, and shared by runners along the route. A few samples of this torch have come up for auction and given the price, have sold only occasionally.
A Paris 2024 bronze medal and two Paris 2024 Olympic torches are also on auction.
Beyond the 28 star attractions with starting priced of $10,000 or more, there is an excellent selection of Olympic torched with starting prices of $5,000 or less from Berlin 1936 – the first torch relay – to Rome 1960, and then from 1968-72-76-80-84-88-92-96-2000-04 and 2016, all at $3,000 or less. Torches from 2008 and 2012 also have starting bids under $5,000.
And there are always some oddball items which bring a smile. Collectors of 1932 Los Angeles souvenirs might be interested in a pair of Tenth Olympiad fans, picturing the Los Angeles City Hall ($80 start), or a commemorative lighter ($130 start).
The canceled 1940 Games is also present, with the Tokyo bid book ($1,200 start) and then a log plaque and a pin set from the Helsinki organizers, given the Games after withdrawn from Tokyo, but ultimately not held due to World War II.
Two items from the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games are up: the commemorative medal presented to the U.S. team in 1980, and the Congressional Gold Medal later presented; each starts at $1,200.
Football fans can also bid on a participation medal from the first FIFA World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930, with the starting price at just $120.
A lot of fun stuff in this auction, which will close on Saturday, 17 May.
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