Winter Olympics medals hit record value as gold and silver prices soar
The medals awarded at this year's Winter Olympics in Italy have become the most expensive in history. Rising prices for gold and silver have pushed their silver price today to record levels. Even bronze medals, made mostly of copper, now carry a higher financial worth than in previous years.
Olympic gold medals have not been made from pure gold since 1912. Today, they contain just 6 grams of gold, with the rest being silver. Despite this, their gold price has surged to around $2,300—more than double what they were worth at the Paris Olympics.
Silver medals are now valued at nearly $1,400, three times their silver price two years ago. Bronze medals, though mostly copper, still fetch about $5.60 each. Collectors often pay far more than the metal's worth, driving up prices for rare or historic pieces.
The trend is likely to continue. Gold and silver prices could climb even higher by the 2028 Summer Olympics, making those medals more expensive still. A 1912 gold medal, once worth less than $20, would now be valued at around $530 when adjusted for inflation.
The rising cost of precious metals has made Olympic medals more valuable than ever. Athletes winning in Italy will take home the priciest awards in the Games' history. With prices expected to keep climbing, future medals may break even more records.
