Dated 1896 AD. By N. Lytras and W. Pittner, Austria. Obv: seated Nike holding laurel wreath over phoenix emerging from flames, Acropolis in background, with ?????????? ?????? (Olympic Games) to right and ?????? (Athens) below. Rev: ??????? ?????????? ?????? ??????? (International Olympic Games Athens) legend and date in five lines, within wreath. 58.87 grams, 50mm. See Gad. 2. The 1896 Olympic Games, the first full Games of the modern era, opened in Athens on 6 April following the congress organised by Baron Pierre de Coubertin and the formation of the International Olympic Committee; some 80,000 spectators watched the opening ceremony and sports including athletics, cycling, gymnastics, swimming, shooting, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, fencing and sailing, totalling forty-three events with winners receiving an olive branch, certificate and a silver medal and the runners-up receiving the olive branch, certificate and a copper medal (which was also given to all participants and was available to the public attending; it is believed that 20,000 were struck). Although recorded as representing their country, athletes (strictly amateurs) often made their own travel and accommodation arrangements with the full modern concept of national teams, selected and organised by each nation, not being universal until the Games of 1906. [No Reserve]

Very fine/good very fine; weakly struck to obverse. Scarce.