This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/5/2022
The 1956 Winter Games, officially the VII Winter Olympiad, were held in Cortina D'Ampezzo in the Dolomites of northeastern Italy. These were the first Winter Olympics televised to a multi-national audience. There were 32 competing countries, making it the largest number of participating nations in a Winter Games to that point. A total of 819 athletes competed in 24 events across 4 sports. The Soviet Union made its Winter Olympics debut and won more medals than any nation.
Featured here is a magnificent 2nd place winner's silver medal, measuring 60 mm in diameter and 4-6 mm thick (including its raised relief dimensions) and weighing 115 grams. It was designed by Constantino Affer and minted by Lorioli Bros. Ltd. (Milan, Italy). The obverse reads "VII GIOCHI OLIMPICI INVERNALI" ("Winter Olympic Games") in raised lettering with "COST.AFFER" inscribed. There is an idolized head of a woman with the Olympic rings over her head and a flaming torch at her left. The reverse has the Olympic motto "CITIUS ALTIUS FORTIUS" (Latin for "Faster, Higher, Stronger") above and "CORTINA 1956" below with a large ice crystal over Mt. Pomagagnon in the middle; "800" is inscribed at lower right to denote the medals content of 80% pure silver and 20% alloy. Very well-preserved, the medal remains in EF (extremely fine) condition. The recipient and event are unknown as no 1956 Winter Olympic medals provided this info. Easily one of the finer examples you'll find in the market.