This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/12/2023.
As American amateurs geared up for the 1968 Olympic Games, there was little enthusiasm for the basketball team’s chance of success. An assortment of personal agendas precluded key-player participation, and it seemed conceivable that the players would come home without a medal. Against that backdrop, there arose a 19-year-old phenom from Detroit. His name was Spencer Haywood, and in part due to his spectacular performance throughout the eight games of competition, the American team went undefeated, capturing the gold. Haywood went on to pursue a fine career originally signing with the ABA’s Buffalo franchise. He quickly found himself in the NBA where he starred through the decade of the ’70’s. Haywood’s first taste of success was in Mexico City in that XIX Olympiad and offered here is the gold medal he received. This original medal is a three-component creation. The red ribbon is approximately 29? in total length. The ribbon then suspends a flat plate identifying the category, and then attached below is the medal itself. With beautiful Graeco images and finery on both sides, this is a very substantial piece. There is a lightly detectable perimeter ding on the medal. It’s about 2 1/4? in diameter and about 1/8? deep. Beautiful, with unblemished surfaces, all of its intricate details stand in bold relief. Accompanied by a LOA from Olympic teammate Charles Scott, who represents Haywood.