The Olympic Games have produced unforgettable moments, legendary athletes, and symbols that fans treasure for a lifetime. But some items have become more than just sentimental, they’re worth serious money. From gold medals to historic equipment, the market for valuable Olympic memorabilia continues to grow. Here are 10 of the most valuable Olympic memorabilia pieces ever sold or appraised.
10. Olympic Participation Medals
These smaller, less publicized medals were given to athletes and staff, not winners, but some versions from the early 1900s are incredibly rare. Depending on the year and condition, they can fetch over $20,000. They’re subtle yet powerful reminders of the global unity that defines the Olympics, and they round out the world of valuable Olympic memorabilia.
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9. Carl Lewis’ 1984 Medal Set
Carl Lewis matched Jesse Owens with four golds in 1984, and his medal set from that year represents another key chapter in Olympic history. When one of his medals came up for auction, it sold for six figures, reflecting not only the rarity but also Lewis’s ongoing influence in athletics.
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8. Michael Phelps’ 2008 Cap & Goggles
Items used by Michael Phelps during his legendary 8-gold run at the 2008 Beijing Olympics have become modern collector gold. His signed cap and goggles, featured in various exhibits, have been valued upwards of $80,000.
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7. Muhammad Ali’s 1960 Olympic Medal (Missing)
While Ali’s medal from the Rome Olympics has been missing for decades, any confirmed discovery would make headlines, and command an astronomical price. The sentimental and historical weight of this potential find keeps it high on the list of dream acquisitions for fans of valuable Olympic memorabilia.
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6. Mark Spitz’s 1972 Swimsuit
Mark Spitz won seven gold medals at the Munich Games, and his swimsuit, which helped him achieve that feat, is among the rarest pieces of Olympic swim gear. Its rarity and association with a turning point in Olympic swimming history make it a prized possession for an estimated six figures.
5. Tokyo 1964 Torch
Olympic torches are popular collectibles, but few are as coveted as the silver model from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Representing Japan’s re-emergence on the global stage post-WWII, this torch can fetch over $150,000 at auction.
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4. Usain Bolt’s Beijing Spikes
Usain Bolt redefined speed in 2008. His golden Puma spikes from the Beijing Games, where he broke world records in the 100m and 200m, are now part of sports legend. As one of the most electrifying Olympic athletes, his gear has become highly sought after and ranks among the most valuable Olympic memorabilia for modern collectors for over $250,000.
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3. Nadia Comăneci’s Leotard
Nadia Comăneci stunned the world in 1976 with the first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics. The leotard she wore, complete with a signature and framed presentation, has been displayed at various museums and was appraised in the high six figures. Its significance lies not just in the performance, but in the evolution of gymnastics as a global spectacle.
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2. 1892 Olympic Manifesto
While not an object from the games themselves, the handwritten Olympic Manifesto by founder Pierre de Coubertin is considered the birth certificate of the modern Olympics. It sold at Sotheby’s for $8.8 million in 2019. The 14-page document outlines his vision for peaceful global competition through sport.
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1. Jesse Owens’ 1936 Gold Medal
This medal, won by Jesse Owens during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, is one of the most iconic and valuable Olympic memorabilia pieces ever. Owens defied Hitler’s Aryan supremacy narrative by winning four golds, and the historic significance of this item made it fetch nearly $1.5 million at auction in 2013.
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