A prized piece of Jesse Owens’ historic triumph at the 1936 Olympics is available -- at a price.
SCP Auctions will sell one of Owens’ four gold medals from the 1936 Olympics in a November online auction. The company does not know if the medal is from the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the long jump or the 4x100-meter relay, SCP Auctions managing director Dan Imler said.
It just might be the most famous Olympic medal ever sold. In 2010, 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey player Mark Wells sold his gold medal from the “Miracle on Ice” team for $310,700. Mike Eruzione sold his hockey stick from the U.S.-Russia game and his jersey from the following game against Finland for $262,900 and $286,800, respectively, to a 9-year-old boy named Seven in February.
“To me, this is the most historically significant medal that’s ever been found (to be sold),” said Imler, whose company has sold Olympic medals before but none this old. “I would think we’re talking about several hundred thousand dollars.”
Owens gifted the medal to entertainer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson after the 1936 Olympics, according to “Mr. Bojangles: The Biography of Bill Robinson.” It was consigned by the family of Robinson’s widow, according to SCP Auctions. Robinson gave Owens tap-dancing lessons, according to “Jesse Owens: A Biography.”
“It shows some wear, some handling wear,” Imler said. “I would say a moderate degree ... but it still presents very well.”
The Owens medal was on display at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Rosemont, Ill., from July 31-Aug. 4.
Jesse Owens' medal from 1936 Olympics hitting the auction block ... Significant item. #nsccshow pic.twitter.com/JPonn4bChE
— Dan Good (@Dgood73) July 31, 2013