At the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy, which opened yesterday Friday, 735 Olympic medals (245 gold, 245 silver, 245 bronze) and 411 Paralympic medals (137 of each type) will be distributed, bringing the total number of medals to 1,146, reaching this year’s medal count with more than 2,900 athletes taking part in 116 sporting events over 17 days. number. The sharp rise in precious metals prices over the past 12 months has pushed them to record levels. As of February 5, the price of gold had increased by 67.02%, and the price of silver had increased by an unusual 109.07%. These medals are the culmination of years of dedication and sacrifice, but they also carry real material value, known as “platform value.” The material value of the Milan-Cortina Olympic gold medal is approximately $2,170 based on price. Market prices on February 5 are estimated at ($4,815/oz for gold and $77.25/oz for silver). Despite its name, it’s not all made of gold. Rather, it weighs 500 grams and contains only 6 grams of pure gold, with the rest (494 grams) made up of sterling silver. For a silver medal weighing 500 grams and made entirely of silver, its material value amounts to approximately 1,240. Bronze medals, on the other hand, are made of 420 grams of copper and are worth only about $6.
This figure was a significant jump compared to the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, which was worth around $950 at the time, making the Milan-Cortina medal the most monetary value in Olympic history.
If the gold medal had been made entirely of solid gold, its value would have been approximately $77,000 at today’s prices.
The true value of Olympic medals goes far beyond their metal value, sometimes turning them into priceless historical artifacts.
The gold medal won by American Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Olympics sold for more than $1.4 million at auction in 2013, after Owens won four gold medals at the Games, ending Adolf Hitler’s attempt to prove the superiority of the Aryan race.
The Milan-Cortina 2026 medal features a unique design consisting of two interlocking halves, symbolizing the completion of an athlete’s journey and the support network that underpinned their career, and is “an expression of the athlete’s determination and passion and the Olympic and Paralympic spirit,” said Raffaella Panetto, Games Visual Identity Director.
A total of 735 Olympic medals (245 gold, 245 silver, 245 bronze) and 411 Paralympic medals (137 of each type) were distributed, bringing the total number of medals to 1,146 at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Italy, which opened yesterday Friday. More than 2,900 athletes will participate, competing in 116 sports over 17 days. This year, the rapid rise in precious metal prices over the past 12 months has pushed their levels to record highs, with gold prices rising 67.02% and silver prices soaring an unprecedented 109.07% as of February 5th. These medals are the culmination of years of dedication and sacrifice, but they also come with real material value, known as “podium value.” The material value of the Milan-Cortina Olympic gold medal is estimated at approximately $2,170, based on February 5 market prices ($4,815 per ounce for gold and $77.25 per ounce for silver). Despite its name, it’s not all made of gold. It weighs 500 grams and contains only 6 grams of pure gold, with the remaining 494 grams made of sterling silver. The silver medal, which weighs 500 grams and is made entirely of silver, has a physical value of approximately $1,240. In contrast, the Bronze Medal is made of 420 grams of copper and is worth only about $6.
This figure is a huge jump compared to the gold medal from the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, which was worth about $950 at the time, making the Milan-Cortina medal the most valuable in Olympic history.
If the gold medal were made entirely of solid gold, its value would be approximately $77,000 at today’s prices.
The true value of Olympic medals far exceeds their metal value, sometimes turning them into priceless historical artifacts.
The gold medal won by American Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Olympics was sold at auction in 2013 for more than $1.4 million after Owens won four gold medals at the Games and thwarted Adolf Hitler’s attempt to assert the superiority of the Aryan race.
The Milan-Cortina 2026 medal features a unique design consisting of two interlocking halves, symbolizing the completion of an athlete’s journey and the support network that has supported them throughout their career. Raffaella Pannier, Director of Visual Identity for the Games, said: “The medal represents the determination and passion of the athletes and the Olympic and Paralympic spirit.”
