A gold medal from the 1904 St. Louis Olympics – the first games hosted on US soil – has sold for US$545,371 at auction. The medal was awarded to American hurdler Fred Schule for his victory in the 110-meter hurdles. It features the inscription “Olympiad, 1904” and depicts a victorious athlete holding a wreath on one side, with Nike, the goddess of victory, and Zeus on the other. The sale included the medal’s original ribbon and leather case.

The 1904 Olympics marked the debut of solid gold medals, unlike today’s silver core, gold-plated designs. American athletes dominated, winning 78 of the 96 events.

Bobby Eaton, an Olympic specialist at Boston-based RR Auction, said it is unusual for a medal of this kind to come up for auction. “No one really knows exactly how many 1904 Olympic gold medals are still out there,” he said. “What we do know is they’re exceedingly rare. Of the roughly 100 gold medals awarded in St. Louis, many have been lost to time or are tucked away in private collections and museums.”

“These medals aren’t just about the competition – they’re a snapshot of the early days of the modern Olympics,” Eaton continued. “To have one like this, in such exceptional condition, is truly remarkable and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors.”

The sale is part of hundreds of Olympic items that were up for sale at the auction, including a bronze medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics, as well as gold medals from the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, 1964 Tokyo Olympics, 1998 Nagano Olympics and 2012 London Olympics.