The Olympic gold medal is made up of at least 92.5 percent silver and is plated with 6 grams of gold; the metal value in 2010 was about $494. In current values, the medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, will be valued about $800.
A successful contestant at one of the Olympic Games receives an Olympic medal. There are three types of medals to be won: gold, silver, and bronze, which are given to the first, second, and third place finishers, respectively. The awarding of medals is detailed in the Olympic protocols.
Since the Games in 1896, medal designs have changed dramatically, notably in the size of the medals during the Summer Olympic Games. The 1928 design was used for many years until it was replaced during the 2004 Games in Athens due to criticism about the usage of the Roman Colosseum rather than a structure symbolizing Greek heritage. The medals of the Winter Olympic Games have never had a consistent design, however they often depict snowflakes and the event in which the medal was won.
