Olympic Commemorative medal Helsinki 1952

The Organising Committee of Helsinki 1952 announced an open design competition for the commemorative medal of the Olympic Games in the spring of 1951. The winner among 35 entrants was the young sculptor Kauko Räsänen, who received the prize of 150,000 marks and additional 50,000 for final production of the medal. The bronze commemorative medal was given to all participants and officials at the Olympic Games. The number of medals struck was 14,000. The medal is 54 millimetres in diameter. The obverse side features two figures carrying torches, the Olympic rings and the text: XV OLYMPIA. The reverse side depicts an athlete’s profile, a curve of the Olympic Stadium and the text: HELSINKI HELSINGFORS 1952.