The Paris Olympics 2024 has officially begun, and South Africa has secured a Bronze medal in the Rugby Sevens. After going down to six men, the Blitzboks edged Australia 26-19 in the third-place playoff on Saturday to win their second Olympic bronze and complete a remarkable turnaround in their fortunes this season.
Athletes who win medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics will bring home a piece of history—figuratively and literally. The medals awarded at this year's Summer Games are embellished with pieces of the Eiffel Tower. An 18-gram hexagonal fragment of iron taken from the iconic Paris landmark, which was built for the 1889 World’s Fair, is embedded in each gold, silver and bronze medal.
Rael Demby, CEO of The South African Gold Coin Exchange & The Scoin Shop, says, “ Winning a gold medal is already incredible. But the French have added an extra je ne sais quoi. The iron pieces are engraved with the phrase "Paris 2024," along with the image of the Olympic torch and five Olympic rings. The Paris 2024 medals will be highly prized, and enthusiastic numismatists will be scoping them out.”
Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, medals, and related objects. It is considered both a hobby and a field of study. It often bridges the gap between amateur collecting and academic research. There is even a particular category called Exonumia - which refers to the study and collection of coin-like objects such as tokens, medals, and other items not used as currency. This is where the actual Olympic medals would fall.
The Monnaie de Paris, the French mint that produces the official medals for the Paris 2024 Olympics, has created an innovative collection of coins and tokens that spotlight various sporting codes, places, and icons of the Games. This includes the Gold Collection of Hexagonals ( coins) and the Mascots and Sport range. These include intricately designed medals featuring iconic Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum, as well as designs commemorating different sports and the spirit of the Olympic Games. These collectable items not only celebrate the sporting event but also serve as timeless mementoes for sports enthusiasts and collectors alike Armchair athletes won’t bring home any medals, but fans can create memories with any coins from the Paris 2024 catalogue.