1956 Melbourne Olympics Gold Medal Presented to K.C. Jones - From the K. C. Jones Estate!

Sold For:

$60,000

Year:

1956

Auction:

2025 Spring

Lot #:

3209

Category:

Basketball Cards and Memorabilia

Gold medal issued to K.C. Jones in commemoration of the United States Men's Basketball Team's triumph at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. This medal originates directly from the K. C. Jones estate. While all Olympic gold medals are significant, the offered medal is particularly noteworthy because it was issued to Jones, a Hall of Famer whose story and accolades are known by basketball fans worldwide. Led by Jones and Bill Russell, the 1956 United States Men's Basketball Team dominated the field in historical fashion, winning each of their eight tournament games by at least 30 points. Russell's gold medal from the 1956 Melbourne Olympics recently sold at public auction for $587,500. The gilt silver medal was crafted by "K. G. Luke Ltd." and bears the company's name engraved along the bottom edge of the obverse. The obverse design features the goddess of victory, Nike, holding a palm in her left hand and a laurel wreath in her right with the Colosseum in the background. The lettering to the right of the image reads "XVITH Olympiad Melbourne 1956." On the reverse, an Olympic champion is hoisted by the crowd. The medal has been housed in a silver-metal ring (which can easily be removed) with a hanging lanyard designed as an American Flag. The medal is complete with its original plastic cream-colored presentation case. The interior features a red-velvet holder for the medal and a white satin-lined lid that is lettered "K.G. Luke (Aust.) Ltd. Medalists Melbourne." The medal (50mm in diameter) remains in Mint condition. The box (2.75 x 2.75 x .75 inches) is in Very Good to Excellent condition, with a hole carved on the side for the lanyard.