Gorgeous winner’s medal issued for the Grenoble 1968 Winter Olympics. Gilt silver, 60 mm, 124 gm, by Roger Excoffon; manufactured by the Paris Mint. The front, inscribed, “Xemes Jeux Olympiques D’Hiver, Grenoble 1968,” features the symbol of Grenoble, a snow crystal and three roses, and the Olympic rings; the reverse identifies the sport as speed skating, “Patinage de Vitesse,” and depicts a racing skater. Complete with original colorful ribbon and attractive black leather presentation case by Monnaiz de Paris. Held at the L'Anneau de Vitesse between February 4–12, the speed skating events at the 1968 Winter Olympics were dominated by the Netherlands, a country that accrued a total of nine medals—three gold, three silver, and three bronze. The remaining five gold medals were divided between athletes from Norway, Finland, the Soviet Union, Sweden, and West Germany. The Dutch won gold in the Men’s 1500 metres (Kees Verkerk), and the Women’s 1000 metres (Carry Geijssen) and 3000 metres (Ans Schut), with all three athletes setting Olympic records for their times. The Grenoble winner’s medals were the first to feature a unique design on the reverse for each sport. A scarce example with just 250 gold medals struck in total.