With the world finally at peace after five years of war, the Olympic Games were reinstituted in 1920. Held in Belgium, which suffered tremendously at the hands of the Germans during the war, the VII Olympiade were the first Games to feature the release of doves during the opening ceremonies to symbolize peace. 72-year-old Oscar Swahn of Swede became the oldest Olympic medalist with a silver in the 100-meter running dear double-shot event, and the United States overruled their previous belief that women’s swimming events were “obscene” and sent their first team who promptly won two Golds. The United States won the most Golds, 41, than any of the other 29 competing nations. The 1920 Gold Medal was designed by Josue Dupon and depicts a victorious athlete in front of Nike. The back has the image of mythical Roman soldier Silvius Brabo who was said to have thrown the hand of a giant into the Scheldt River along whose banks Antwerp was built. The medal is in very fine condition with some light scratches to the reverse in the area of the sky above the Scheldt River. An outstanding example of the ultimate award from the first post-war Olympic Games.

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