I don't see how it's worth >$100,000 to anyone but a sports museum owner
Buying another person's medal is like buying someone else's family photos. Both items (the medal and the photo) are meaningful because they commemorate something that you've done. If I didn't win the medal, why would it have any value to me?
Disagree with you guys. This commemorates one of the most iconic moments in all of sports history. It was an intersection of world politics and sports at a time when the US and Russia were mortal enemies. And it came at a time when this country was deep in the throes of an energy crisis, while 52 Americans were being held hostage in Iran. This event gave us a reason for national pride when we desperately needed it.
The significance transcends sports, and I think a medal like this has broad appeal. Maybe a frustrated Russian will buy it!
The Russians topped that when they swept the podium in the 50k and clinched the most medals in Sochi. The US didn't sweep the podium in hockey, and they didn't get the most medals in Lake Placid either.
Eric Heiden got 5 times as many gold medals as the US hockey team did, but somehow they're the big hero and not him. He got 83% of US gold medals and if not for the hockey team, he'd have won ALL of them. And he did win ALL the speed skating events. That's a sports hero. But no, it's all about the "miracle," as if upsets are unheard of in single-elimination hockey.