BOSTON — A silver winner’s medal issued to Soviet Union ice hockey player Sergei Starikov after his team defeated Sweden in the contest for second place at the Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympics sold for $86,136 at RR Auction on January 19.

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.

Awarded to Starikov, an integral member of the vaunted Soviet national team, the silver medal is one of only 74 issued at the Lake Placid Games, making it rare.

During his legendary career, Soviet defenseman Sergei Starikov won nine national titles and participated in three Olympic tournaments, winning gold in Sarajevo and Calgary and silver in Lake Placid. All three of Starikov’s medals were offered in the January 19 auction. Starikov appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated when he became one of the first Soviet players to wear an NHL uniform after he joined the New Jersey Devils in 1989, along with his friend and defensive partner from the Soviet team, Viacheslav Fetisov.

“As an example awarded for ice hockey — one of the most popular winter sports — it is of the utmost desirability,” said RR Auction COO Bobby Eaton.

“The Miracle on Ice is one of greatest moments in Olympic hockey history making this both a rare and remarkable collectable,” added Eaton.

The Olympic Memorabilia sale from RR Auction began on December 16 and concluded on January 19. For more information, go to RRAuction.com.

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