The Olympics is undoubtedly the greatest sporting event in the world and this event has tremendous fan following. It is a sporting event with non stop action throughout the tournament. Unlike other sports Olympics does not award the successful sportsmen with cash money. The prize is in the form of a medal and the medal will, in turn, become a collector's item. Collectible medals can be kept as show pieces and also as gift items. They are items to commemorate the various achievements of a particular Olympic event. Olympic Games first started during the Roman Empire and during that time, there were also prizes that were given; these prizes were given out in the form of leather seals commemorating the achievement of a particular sportsman.
Olympic collectible medals come in all forms including gold, silver, bronze and platinum. The collectible medals are most commonly, generally shaped and designed in the form of original Olympic medals, to show significance and replication, although there are of course some differences made. It is to be understood that you cannot replicate an original Olympic medal. This would be called anti plagiarism. Likewise, if you are caught trying precisely replicating an Olympic medal, the consequences of which will mean that you will be sued legally.
Collectible medals are generally in the form of any of the precious metals. They are mainly in the shape of Olympic medallions. These collectible medals are replicas of the Olympic medallions and are plainly a small sign of the significance of the game, as well very small in comparison of worth to the real, original medals. Some collectible medals have names of athletes carved on them as well as their achievements being remotely mentioned on the back or in other convenient places. They are, like every other Olympic material, very valuable and serve a large importance as collector's items. Some collectible medals simply signify the achievements of a particular country. These collectible medals have the respective flags of their countries inscribed on them and some medals even mention the total number of medals won by that individual country, or will commonly tell about the feats of any particular sportsman. The purpose of collectible medals is to commemorate achievements so they generally signify the sporting feats. Every Olympic will end with new sets of records and these records will go straight into the collectible medals for anyone to hold as a keepsake of the event.
The quality of medals depends on the price you are shelling out for it. The quality varies from one manufacturer to the other. The quality cannot be fixed; it changes from time to time. The price is another factor. The medals are available in all kinds of precious metals like gold silver and platinum. The purity of these metals determines the price of the medals. Some are pure 24 Carat gold medals. They will obviously cost more and probably the most expensive of all are pure metallic medals. If you want medals with some precious stones studded in them then you would have to shell out more money. The only thing you have to keep in mind before gong for expensive collectible medals is that they should be authentic. Counterfeit products have flooded the international markets after the commencement of the Beijing Olympics, 2008. So buying genuine products is necessary.
To buy genuine products, visit show rooms that have the reputation of selling authentic collectible medals. Online stores also sell these collectible medals. You can compare prices on the Internet that will help you to decide prior to buying a particular medallion. Make sure that you are guaranteed against manufacturing defects and forgery. These medals have a very high worth and its value keeps on increasing each and every passing year, so even if you think that you would like to sell off the Olympic medal then you can stay assured of getting a high value, provided the medal is authentic. If you do not have one of these collectible medals make sure you buy one whenever you get the chance.