This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/12/2023.
The 1980 Lake Placid Olympics have become synonymous with the storied ‘Miracle on Ice’ hockey match between the heavily favored Soviet Union and the United States. While the Americans famously won the contest with a stirring 4-3 victory, subsequently winning the gold medal against Finland two days later on February 24, the USSR and Sweden would battle for a silver medal at the Olympic Fieldhouse just hours afterward, with the Soviets giving no quarter to their Scandinavian opponents. This beautiful silver medal is one of only 74 issued at the Lake Placid Games, making it quite rare. As an example awarded for ice hockey, one of the most popular winter sports, it is of the utmost desirability. This magnificent winner’s silver medal by Tiffany and Co. weighs approximately 214 grams. The back, inscribed “XIII Olympic Winter Games,” depicts a raised hand holding the Olympic torch against a mountain backdrop, with the Olympic rings to the right side; the reverse, inscribed “Lake Placid 1980,” features a small Lake Placid Games emblem and a large pine branch with cones, with the sport engraved below, “Ice Hockey.” Inscribed on the bottom edge, “Tiffany & Co., Sterling Silver, 1979.” The top edge features a small bored hole that was made to attach the original white-and-blue ribbon, which is included. There are minor surface condition issues and evidence of prior framing on the back however the medal displays beautifully. A true relic of hockey history.