Chronicles The Newsletter of the Trenton Numismatic Club May 2017 Volume 35 Issue 5

for winners in the Olympics the number struck, includ- Olympic Participation is one of the best known ing proofs, is also prepared. features of these modern Medals Games. The Winner’s Med- Each Participation Medal is -Harry Garrison als (or Prize Medals) are unique in design and they exist quite scarce and highly col- in various shapes and sizes. The lectible, and it is not un- vast majority of these Medals The have common to see them trade are composed of bronze. Some long been recognized as the at auction for thousands, or issues are more appealing than most popular and inspira- even tens of thousands, of others based solely upon their tional sporting and cross-cul- dollars. In addition to the aesthetic appeal and artistic tural event in the world. In Winner’s Medals, at all but design. Regardless, the vast fact, it’s international view- one of the Olympic Games, majority of issues are very af- ership easily exceeds that the host countries awarded fordable (compared to the Win- of the Super Bowl, NBA Commemorative Medals to ner’s Medals); about half of the Championship and World the athletes, judges and offi- Medals can be acquired for Series combined! It’s hard- cials who participated in the less than $300 each at current ly surprising that collecting Games. While not widely levels, while most of the other Olympic memorabilia has known to the general pub- half are valued closer to $800. become popular. Hobbyists, lic, these Medals, commonly investors and dealers active- called Olympic Participa- In each of the modern Olym- ly trade lapel pins, stamps, tion Medals, are staples of pics (since 1896) with the excep- torches, , uniforms, the Olympic memorabil- tion of the Paris Games in 1900, flags and of course, medals. ia collector’s community. the host country issued an of- ficial Participation Medal. The The modern Olympic Games It is, in fact, an obligation began in 1896, in Athens, the of the host country to make Continued on Page 3 site of the ancient games. and then distribute these From that first event to the medals to all participants most recent Olympics in in the Games. The Olym- Rio, there have been a total pic Charter, maintained by Articles Wanted of Fifty Olympic venues (28 the International Olympic Summer & 22 Winter). The Committee (IOC), specifies If you have a topic you’d awarding of prize medals the protocol to be followed like to be covered in the by the Organizing Commit- Newsletter… write an article tee of the Olympic Games. This Charter requires that or submit your idea. In This Issue: Participation Medals be Don’t be shy….do it. awarded, and that the cop- All entries are welcome. yright for the medals is Articles will appear in the Olympic Participation Medals Cover to be owned by the IOC . Newsletter as soon as pos- According to the Charter, Show Schedule 2 sible and might be edited Olympic Participation ctd. 3 once the Medals have been struck, all dies and molds for space consideration, not Olympic Participation ctd. 4 editorial content. Meeting Schedule 4 are given to the IOC, and an accurate accounting of Coin Chronicles May 2017 TNC’s 65th Year Volume 35 Issue 5 The Newsletter of the Trenton Numismatic Club

COIN SHOW SCHEDULE By Bill Liatys

June 2017 LOCAL SHOW SCHEDULE

PARSIPPANY June 4th at Sunday 9 AM – 3 PM Pal Bldg 33 Baldwin Road Parsnippany NJ

BURLINGTON June 11th Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM Burlington Mason Lodge Route 541 Burlington, NJ

TREVOSE June 18th Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM Trevose Fire house 4900 Street Road Trevose PA

TRI-STATE COIN & STAMP SHOW June 25th Sunday 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM Sheraton Bucks County 400 Oxford Valley Road Langhorne, PA

WHITMAN COIN & COLLECTIBLES June 22nd -25th Thursday – Sunday Thursday – Noon – 6 PM Friday – Saturday - 10 AM – 6 PM Sunday – 10 AM – 3 PM Baltimore Convention Center One W. Pratt Street Baltimore, MD

GSNA 42nd Annual Convention 2017 Thursday May 18 - 12PM to 6PM Friday May 19 - 10AM to 6PM Saturday May 20 - 9AM to 4PM Ukrainian Cultural Center - Somerset, NJ

Page 2 Coin Chronicles May 2017 TNC’s 65th Year Volume 35 Issue 5 The Newsletter of the Trenton Numismatic Club

mintage figures range from 700 are typically more scarce oteric by the larger numis- to 60,000 pieces. As mentioned, and expensive than their matic community and do not these special Medals were pre- Summer counterparts. have the kind of widespread sented by the Olympic Com- appeal and demand that le- mittee from the host country Again, the vast majority of gal tender coinage enjoys. to each athlete, judge and of- recipients have no inter- ficial attending the Games. est in selling their Med- As far as a Medals Series go, als. Unfortunately, there Olympic Participation Med- Representing one’s country at is no accurate source (like als have long enjoyed an ac- the Olympics by participat- a Population Report, etc.) tive world-wide trading envi- ing in some official capacity to indicate how many Par- ronment. This has continued (as an athlete or perhaps as an ticipation Medals from despite the vast majority of invited judge) is considered a certain venue actually recipients having no inter- an honour. For the vast major- exist in the marketplace. est in selling their Medals. ity of athletes, a Participation The primary sources for Medal is the closest thing to OPMs are occasional ap- One reason that OPMs are a Winners’ Medal they’ll ever pearances at auction and heavily collected is that they see. It’s a tangible reminder of dealers specializing in form a very logical set. After their achievement and a source Olympic memorabilia. purchasing one Medal, the of pride. It is certainly under- buyer is immediately attract- standable that those people Olympic Participation ed to the goal of completing who receive a Participation Medals are neat and tru- the collection: getting one Medal in recognition of their ly unusual. The vast ma- OPM from every Olympic attendance would not easily jority depict beautiful, Games, or the complete set of part with it. This has limited unique designs by well 50 OPMs, as of the year 2017. the number of Olympic Par- known artists and sculp- ticipation Medals sold to col- tors representing each ven- To reiterate, the major funda- lectors on the secondary mar- ue. Part of their aesthetic mentals and factors for col- ket by athletes and officials. appeal is the largeness of lecting OPM’s are: these Medals compared As the Olympic Games have to legal tender coinage. Large Format and Attractive grown is size, so has the num- The typical OPM meas- Designs of Medals ber of official Participation ures 60 mm (a little over Medals issued by each host 2 1/4 inches) and weighs Logical Collectible Set country. For example, 0it was an average of 100 grams. reported that only 4,000 OPMs International Appeal were distributed at the 1932 In numismatic parlance, a Los Angeles Summer Games “Medal” is often defined Interest from Sports and while it is estimated that near- as a coin-like object made Numismatic Collectible Fields ly 60,000 Participation Med- in honour of a person or als were minted for the 1996 event. Not authorized as Continued on Page 4 Atlanta Games. Traditional- legal tender and not in- ly, the Winter Games offered tended to circulate for fewer events and had fewer monetary value. It is also athletes, coaches and officials not made to a recognized in attendance than the typical weight or fineness. Al- Summer Games. Consequent- though a somewhat popu- ly, the Participation Med- lar collectible, Medals are als from the Winter venues often considered a bit es-

Page 3 Coin Chronicles May 2017 TNC’s 65th Year Volume 35 Issue 5 The Newsletter of the Trenton Numismatic Club

What inspired this article, was my recent acquisi- tion of the 1980 Lake Plac- id Winter Olympics and the 2002 Winter Olympics OPMs. The OPM set will increase to 51 medals with the , officially Trenton Numismatic Club known as the XXIII Olym- pic Winter Games and President : Andrew Waholek commonly referred to as Vice-President: John Janeczek PyeongChang 2018. They Treasurer: Randy Ricco will take place from Feb. 9 Secretary: Joe Pargola to Feb. 25th, 2018 in Dae- Sgt at Arms: Gary Elmer gwallyeong, . Committees: Bourse: Bill Liatys Randy Ricco Programs: Ray Williams Newsletter:Joe Pargola Auction: Bo Bobjak

Trenton Numismatic Club is members of: Any fool can criticize, condemn and com- plain - and most fools do. -Benjamin Franklin

Meeting Schedule The Trenton Numismatic Club meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the

HAMILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY ONE JUSTICE SAMUEL A. ALITO JR. WAY HAMILTON, NJ 08619-3809

Mailing Address: T.N.C. P.O. BOX 8122 Hamilton, New Jersey 08650

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