The true value of an Olympic GOLD medal
If the Olympic gold medal was made of real gold, it would be worth a small fortune. A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction ofgold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture. The award concept arose in the military, initially by simple recognition of military rank, and later by decorations for admission to military orders dating back to medieval times. While most gold medals are solid gold, notable exceptions are gold-plated and often silver-gilt, like those of the Olympic Games, the Lorentz Medal, the United States Congressional Gold Medal (displayed below) and the Nobel Prize medal. Nobel Prize medals consist of 18 carat green gold plated with 24 carat gold. Before 1980 they were struck in 23 carat gold. Gold Medal Value The 2012 London Olympics will have the largest medals in summer Olympic history. Weighing in at roughly 400g, medals will be sev