Copa América is one of the world's oldest soccer competitions and has traditionally featured only South America countries to determine the best national team in the continent. The first one took place in 1916, hosted and won by Argentina. La Albiceleste (White and Sky-Blues) have won the tournament 14 times, but Uruguay leads with 15. Surprisingly, Brazil is third with nine Copa titles. Since 1993, at least two teams -- one or more from North America and one from Asia -- have been invited outside of South America's usual 10 CONMEBOL [South American Football Confederation] teams.
The 2016 edition was held in the United States as a centennial celebration of the tournament. It was the first Copa América played outside South America, part of a special agreement between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF [Football Confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean], and featured 16 nations rather than the standard twelve. The United States and Mexico were among the six CONCACAF teams in the tournament, and the U.S. made it all the way to the Semifinals where they lost, 4-0, to Argentina. Mexico was beaten badly, 7-0, in the quarterfinals to Chile. The Finals was decided by penalty kicks as Chile (4-2) knocked off Argentina for the Championship. Players, coaches and important staff members from the teams who finished first, second and third place received winners medals.
Presented here is a Silver Runners-Up medal issued to an Argentinian player. The obverse has a colorful blue, green and red design of the Copa América trophy along with "1916" and "2016". The reverse features the CONMEBOL and CONCACAF logos with the date (June 26, 2016) and location (East Rutherford, NJ) of the Finals match, along with "VICECAMPEON" [Runner-Up). The well-crafted, silver medal (55 mm in diameter; 96 grams) hangs from a navy blue "Copa América Centenario USA 2016" ribbon and comes in NM condition with a small indentation on the bottom edge. Includes LOA from the son of Brazil's National Team kitman who acquired the medal from Argentina's team kitman. Player must remain anonymous (name not mentioned on LOA).