2026 Winter Olympics medals shatter value records as gold and silver surge
The medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy will be the most valuable in history. Rising prices for gold and silver have pushed their worth to record levels. Many athletes still hold on to their prizes, but some rare sales show just how much these symbols of achievement can fetch.
Olympic gold medals have not been solid gold since 1912. Today, they contain just 6 grams of pure gold, with the rest made up of 500 grams of silver. Even so, their value has soared. A gold medal is now worth around $2,300—more than double its price during the 2024 Paris Games.
The surge in precious metal prices has also lifted the value of silver medals. These are now worth nearly $1,400 each, triple what they were just two years ago. Bronze medals, made mostly of copper, remain far cheaper at about $5.60.
Auction records highlight the growing financial worth of older medals. In 2015, a gold medal from the 1912 Stockholm Olympics sold for £19,000 ($26,000). A bronze medal from the 1920 Antwerp Games went for £640 ($875) in 2016. With spot prices for gold hitting $4,700 per ounce and silver at $94.73 per ounce by early 2026, the 2026 Winter Olympics medals will set a new benchmark.
Despite their rising value, most Olympians keep their medals. For many, the sentimental worth far outweighs any financial gain.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will award the most expensive medals ever. Gold and silver prices have climbed sharply since the 2024 Paris Games, increasing their market value. While some medals occasionally appear at auction, most athletes continue to treasure them as priceless symbols of success.
