This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/24/2018
When one thinks of great moments in Olympic history, Jesse Owens’ performance at the 1936 Games stands out as one of the, if not the greatest. The American’s four Gold Medals was a record at the time and his victories stood as a silent rebuke to Adolf Hitler’s regime that sponsored the games that year. To coincide with the 1972 Munich Games, Coca-Cola produced a lavish sterling silver coin set commemorating 17 consecutive Olympic Games beginning with 1896 and highlighting the indelible moments from those Games. Among other Olympic greats, such as Johnny Weissmuller, Sonja Henning, Wilma Rudolph and Spiridon Louis, is of course the hero of the 1936 Games, Jesse Owens.
16 of the 17 coins measure 38mm in diameter and 3mm thick, weigh 26 grams, and are marked "STERLING' on the edge. Only the 1936 Berlin Olympics coins depicting Owens is non-sterling and weighs 8 grams (perhaps this was a replacement). The obverse features the respective Olympiad in roman numerals with location and year as well as the star of those Games around the perimeter all done around a finely sculpted bust of said athlete and an action pose performing the sport in which they made their mark. This particular set is unique from the commemorative set that was available to the public in that it is house in a custom wooden presentation box on which an engraved plate reading “PRESENTED TO JESSE OWENS “THE GREAT OLYMPIC MOMENTS” THE FOUR SEASONS FROM COCA-COLA USA JULY 27, 1972” is mounted. A small enamel Argentina Olympic Association lapel pin is included with this set as it was present when obtained from the Owens estate.
Includes LOA signed by each of Jesse Owens' three daughters.