Overview
- With gold near $4,950/oz and silver around $76/oz this week, calculations peg the intrinsic value at about $2,170–$2,400 for a gold medal and $1,240–$1,400 for a silver medal.
- The 2026 gold medal weighs roughly 500 grams with only about six grams of gold plated over silver, and all medals were produced by Italy’s state mint using recycled metal and renewable-powered furnaces.
- The International Olympic Committee says 245 gold, 245 silver and 245 bronze medals will be awarded at the Games, with 137 of each medal presented at the Paralympics.
- Collectors often pay far above melt value, as shown by Ryan Lochte’s three golds selling for $385,520 and Greg Louganis’s two golds and a silver fetching more than $430,000.
- Cash matters more than metal for many athletes, with at least 37 countries offering medal bonuses from roughly $3,000 to over $760,000, and U.S. competitors receiving $200,000 each through Ross Stevens’ newly launched program.