1920 Antwerp Olympic Gold Medal of Carl T. Osburn
Title: Olympic Gold Medal of Carl T. Osburn from the 1920 Antwerp Olympics
Accession #: NHHC 2000-158-16
Circa: 1920
Size: 2.35"
Medium: Gold Gilt
Location: Headquarters Artifact Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command
On the obverse, a tall, nude athlete, holds in his left hand a palm leaf and a laurel crown, both symbols of victory. Behind him is the figure of the Renommée playing the trumpet. In the background is a frieze with a Greek motif with the inscription VII OLYMPIADE underneath.
During the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Osburn earned 4 Gold Medals. One for the 300m Military Rifle Standing, 300m Team Military Rifle Prone, 300+600m Team Free Rifle Prone, and Team Free Rifle.
On the reverse, the Antwerp monument, commemorating the legend of Brabo throwing the hand of the giant Druoon Antigoon into the Scheldt. In the background, the cathedral and port of Antwerp. Along the top rim is the inscription ANVERS MCMXX. CT OSBORN is stamped above the image of the statue.
The legend says that in antiquity, the cruel giant Druoon Antigoon forced all vessels on the river to pay a toll. If the captain refused to pay, the giant cut off the captain's hand. The giant spread terror amongst the sailors for many long years, until the day he met Silvius Brabo. This courageous Roman soldier dared to take on the giant and succeeded in killing him. As revenge for his victims, he cut off the giant's hand and threw it into the river. This is where the name of the city comes from- "Antwerp" means "thrown hand."
