Artefacts

Reference record. Paris 1900, winner's plaque, gold (gilt-silver).

Physical description

Obverse: Nike, the goddess of victory carrying laurel branches above Paris and the buildings of the Universal Exhibition in the background, caption: "REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE / EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE / PARIS 1900", signed "F. VERNON" on the bottom right. Reverse: winning athlete on the podium, a laurel branch with the right hand raised, caption of the event on the podium, stadium and acropolis in the background and branches of laurel and oak on the left. Edge: hallmark "cornucopia" of the Paris Mint with the mention "ARGENT" on the base.

Created

Created: Monnaie de Paris Created: Frédéric VERNON (17.11.1858)

Materials

vermeil

Colors

gold

Dimension

6 x 4,2 x 0,35 cm, 57 g

Literature

LENNARTZ, Karl. Olympische Siege: Medaillen, Diplome, Ehrungen. Berlin : Sportverlag, cop. 2000. 474 p. ISBN 3-328-00865-9. GREENSFELDER, Jim. VORONTSOV, Oleg. LALLY, Jim.. Olympic Medals, A Reference Guide. Saratoga : GVL Enterprises, 1998. GADOURY, Victor, Médailles et Monnaies Olympiques, Monaco : Editions Victor Gadoury, 1996. 555 p. ISBN 2-906602-10-8. MERILLON, D.. Concours internationaux d'exercices physiques et de sports. Rapports. Paris: Imprimerie nationale, 1901. DREVON, A., Les Jeux Olympiques oubliés. Paris 1900, Paris: CNRS Editions, 2000 MALLON, Bill. The 1900 Olympic Games: Results for All Competitors in All Events, with Commentary. Jefferson; London: Mc Farland & Company, cop. 1998. Le Centre d'Etudes Olympiques. Les médailles des Jeux Olympiques d'été d'Athènes 1896 à Tokyo 2020. Le Centre d'Etudes Olympiques, 2019 The Olympic Studies Centre. Olympic Summer Games Medals from Athens 1896 to Tokyo 2020. The Olympic Studies Centre, 2019 ANTHERION, Dominique (Dir.). Honneurs sportifs, médailles olympiques.. Paris : Editions Pierre de Taillac, 2024

Type of item

Medals -> winner's medal

Reference number

140225

Keywords

victory Paris 1900, Olympic Games Athens [athlète]Athlete Laurel monument

Notes

The obverse of the medal depicts winged Victory scattering the laurel crowns of success over the capital and the monuments built for the Universal Exhibition. This design was common to several competitions held at the Exhibition and was combined, for the sports competitions, with a specific reverse design. For the first time, there were medals in gold, silver and bronze, in line with the custom of awarding medals to the top three prize-winners of the Universal Exhibition competitions. However, the rewards presented to the winners varied from sport to sport. Thus, for gymnastics, the Official Report of the Games states: "Besides the works of art, the Commission decided to offer the first 10 competitors the Sports gold plaque, engraved by Mr Vernon; the next 20 placed received a gold medal; for the others, up to the 40th place a silver-gilt plaque; from the 40th to the 100th placed, a silver plaque; and finally a silver-plated bronze plaque for the 100th placed to the last."