This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2019
Offered here is a beautifully-designed 1986 FIFA World Cup medal presented to an Algerian National Team player. It was sourced through the Brazilian National Team doctor during the 1986 World Cup held in Mexico. Argentina won their second world title thanks to the spectacular play of Diego Maradona. His "Hand of God" goal in the Quarterfinals against England may have been the most notorious goal in international soccer history. And the fiery forward followed that up minutes later by taking on virtually the entire English team to score the "Goal of the Century" to the amazement of 114,000 fans in Estadio Azteca.
The hefty medal weighs 214 grams (7.6 oz.) and measures 75 mm in diameter and 5 mm thick, manufactured by renowned Italian manufacturer Bertoni of either pure silver or silver-coated bronze. It features vibrant colors on the reverse with the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico logo, “UAFA” crest, and flag designs of the three Islamic nations that were among the 32 countries to qualify for the tournament: Algeria, Morocco and Iraq. The text at the top is in Arabic, as is the text (believed to translate to "FIFA World Cup 2014 Mexico" on the reverse below a raised gold-plated image of the World Cup trophy. At the bottom edge of the reverse is the tiny "BERTONI MILANO" maker stamp. The medal comes in NM-MT overall condition and is housed in its original blue Bertoni presentation case. It should be noted that we looked far and wide for another example of this medal to no avail, meaning this has to be an exceptionally rare piece of FIFA World Cup memorabilia.