Extremely rare athlete’s participation medal issued for the St. Louis 1904 Olympics. Copper, 40 mm, 31 gm, by Dieges & Clust, New York. The front, inscribed, "Olympic Games, St. Louis, USA, 1904," features an idealized nude athlete mid-stride with a laurel branch in his hand; the reverse features the lengthy text, "1803, Universal Exposition Commemorating the Olympic Games, 1904, Physical Culture Department, Frederick J. V. Skiff, Director of Exhibits," encircled by ivy leaves with the shield emblems of St. Louis, France, and USA. This particular medal is without an upper loop and bears an entirely plain edge, traits indicative of medals presented to participating athletes. It is housed in its original cardboard box, imprinted on the lid: "1803 Universal Exposition, Commemorating the Olympic Games, 1904, Physical Culture Department, Frederick J. V. Skiff, Director of Exhibits, Jas. E. Sullivan, Chief of Staff." The inner lid is imprinted with the address of the maker, Dieges & Clust. The medal is in superior condition, while the box exhibits some rubbing and one side panel missing from the lid. St. Louis 1904 is the rarest and most coveted of all Olympic participation medals, and even rarer when paired with its original box—this is the first example of the box that we have encountered.
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