"As athletes gear up for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, the financial stakes have climbed to unprecedented heights-and it's not just because of the sponsorship deals or prize money. Soaring precious-metal prices have pushed the value of Olympic medals to historic highs. Since early 2025, gold prices have nearly doubled, rising from $2,800 to over $5,000 per ounce-a nearly 80% jump over the past year as wary investors seek a safe haven."
"This year, Olympic silver medals will be made of 500 grams of 0.999 silver. Gold medals are made from that base and then plated with six grams of gold. So, as athletes step onto the podium beginning this weekend, they'll be bringing home thousands of dollars in precious raw earth materials. Each silver medal will have roughly $1,400 in metal value, and each gold medal about $2,400. By comparison, gold medals awarded at the 2024 Games in Paris were worth only about $900 at the time."
"A total of 245 gold, 245 silver, and 245 bronze medals will be awarded during this year's Olympic Games. In the Paralympics, 137 medals will be awarded in each of the three rankings, according to the International Olympic Committee. While the raw metal value of Olympic medals is small compared with the millions of dollars athletes invest in training, their collective and symbolic value often far exceeds their material worth. Buyers pay top dollar for the history, rarity, and prestige these awards represent, as well as the stories of the athletes who earned them."
Since early 2025, gold prices nearly doubled from $2,800 to over $5,000 per ounce, an almost 80% rise, while silver jumped to nearly $90 per ounce, about a 182% increase. Olympic silver medals will contain 500 grams of 0.999 silver and gold medals are silver with six grams of gold plating. Each silver medal has roughly $1,400 in metal value and each gold about $2,400, compared with about $900 for gold medals in 2024. The Games will award 245 medals of each rank and Paralympics 137 of each rank. Collectible and symbolic value often far exceeds raw-metal worth.
Read at Fortune
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