The actual medals given to winners in the 1896 Games were different from what we're familiar with today: First prize was given a silver medal (and an olive branch), and second prize a bronze (and ...

From that modest start in Athens with 241 participants in 43 events, the Olympics have ballooned to include 11,238 athletes vying for 306 gold medals at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. More are ...

A second-place bronze medal from 1896 sold for $55,000 during the sale. RR Auction The auction house also sold a bronze second-place medal from the 1896 Athens games, which went for $55,000.

The 1896 Athens Olympic Second Place Bronze Medal, designed by J.C. Chaplain (1839-1909), with name to the right of Zeus. Undated photograph.