This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/24/2018
This stunning original gold medal from the 1948 London Olympics Games was awarded to Lloyd Lamar Butler, the number 4 oar in the American crew boat that won gold in the Eight-Oared Shell rowing event. Butler and his University of California-Berkeley teammates easily won the 1948 Pacific Coast Championship, and then cruised through the Olympic Trials (National Championships) at Princeton to win the honor of representing the United States at the '48 Summer Games.
In London, the Cal-Berkeley squad replaced their boat's navy and gold school colors with a patriotic red, white and blue scheme to take on the world. Racing on the famous Henley-on-Thames course, the U.S. team easily overcame the other nations, beating the Great Britain boat by two lengths in the final. The victory gave Cal the record for most Olympic gold medals attributed to one university. Cal crew had previously won gold at the 1928 and 1936 Olympics, also under legendary coach Ky Ebright.
The medal was designed by renowned sculptor Giuseppe Cassioli. The medal’s obverse has “XIV OLYMPIAD LONDON 1948” embossed beside Nike holding a victory crown and palm frond in front of a Classical stadium facade. The reverse depicts a winning athlete is carried by a crowd in victory. The gilt-silver medal with gold plating (as all golds have been crafted since 1912) is housed in its original presentation box marked “THE OLYMPIC GAMES LONDON 1948” on the exterior and “JOHN PINCHES (MEDALISTS) LTD. LONDON” on the interior. Butler’s medal shows light wear and aging and displays beautifully. A tiny stem remains at the top from a removed loop used at one point for Butler to wear proudly around his neck. Less than 300 of these gold medals were cast, and this one comes directly from the family of the American rower who claimed it 70 years ago. Weight 70g. Diameter 51mm. Thickness 4mm.
Includes LOA from the Butler family.