$3,840
A 2014 Sochi Olympics Chelyabinsk meteorite-embedded gold medal. On the morning of February 15, 2013, a superbolide meteor entered Earth's atmosphere over Russia and exploded in an air burst over Chelyabinsk Oblast, a federal subject of Russia in the Ural Mountains region, on the border of Europe and Asia. The explosion caused a series of shockwaves that shattered windows, damaged buildings, and injured scores of people, with the explosion also causing the meteor to break into numerous pieces that were scattered over a wide area in Chelyabinsk. To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the event, which fell during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, 50 gold medals were minted, with each including a piece of the meteor. These medals were then to be awarded, in addition to the standard gold medal, to any athlete who won a gold medal at the Sochi Olympics on February 15, 2014. Ten of the 50 medals were presented to Olympic athletes who won gold on that anniversary day. The medal, crafted out of gold and silver, features a design inspired by video footage of the meteor's fall. The meteorite piece is affixed in a small indentation at the center of the medal. The medal is housed in its original presentation case. Accompanied by an information certificate card, in Russian. Medal, diameter, 1 15/16 inches; Case, 3 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches Categories:
Auctioneer:
Juliens Auctions
Date:
2016-12-07
