1960 Jerry Lucas USA Basketball Olympic Gold Medal

The 1960 Olympic Gold Medal: A Testament to Basketball Excellence

An Unparalleled Legacy

The 1960 U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team is heralded as one of the greatest amateur basketball teams in history. This legendary team, featuring future Hall of Famers Walt Bellamy, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and Jerry Lucas, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. Their dominance at the Rome Olympics was unmatched, as they triumphed in all eight games with an average victory margin of 42.4 points, culminating in a gold medal victory.

A Rare and Coveted Piece of History

The gold medal from the 1960 Olympics, offered here, is the crowning jewel of the Jerry Lucas Collection. This exquisite piece is a premier addition to any advanced basketball memorabilia collection. Weighing 3.6 oz. (7.9 oz. with the chain) and measuring 54 mm in diameter (68 mm with the wreath), this medal was presented to Hall of Famer Jerry Lucas on September 10, 1960, as a member of the victorious team.

Artistry and Symbolism

The face of the medal features a design by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli, originally created for the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam and used on all Summer Olympic medals until 2004. It depicts a victorious athlete being carried through the stadium by his peers, with a bronze wreath banner reading “PALLACANESTRO,” translating to “BASKETBALL.” The reverse side showcases Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, seated above the stadium, with the inscription “GIOCHI DELLA XVII OLIMPIADE ROMA MCMLX,” meaning “Games of the 17th Olympiad Rome 1960.”

• Unique Design: The medal is stamped with “800” and features “STAB ARTISTICI FIORENTINI-FIRENZE-” in relief along the perimeter.
• Distinctive Chain: The bronze chain, measuring approximately 32 inches, is composed of 20 olive leaves, a nod to the ancient Olympic tradition of awarding olive wreaths.
• Exclusive Feature: The 1960 Rome Olympics medals were the only ones to feature this unique chain design.

A Legacy of Excellence

This medal is in NRMT condition and comes with a Letter of Authenticity from Jerry Lucas, offering a rare opportunity to own a piece of American sports history. This lot, along with others from the Jerry Lucas Collection, is consigned directly from the NBA Hall of Famer himself. Jerry Lucas is celebrated as one of the greatest basketball players, having achieved championships at every level—high school, college, NBA, and Olympics. His illustrious career includes being a 7-time All-Pro, NBA All-Star Game MVP, and a member of the New York Knicks World Championship team in 1973.

We are honored to present this collection at our 2013 Hall of Fame Induction Auction. For those interested in expanding their collection, explore our sports memorabilia auctions and discover more about the consignment process for your own treasured items. This is more than just a medal; it is a symbol of excellence and a testament to the enduring legacy of Jerry Lucas and the 1960 U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team.

* This text was generated from the original auction listing.