BOSTON, MASS.- A winner’s medal issued for the Cortina 1956 Winter Olympics sold for $23,882 according to Boston-based RR Auction.

Designed by by Italian medallist Constantino Affer and struck by Lorioli Bros, gilt silver, 60 mm, 117 gm. One of a total 51 first place prizes issued for the Cortina Games, this is an attractive and exceedingly scarce winner’s medal.

Cortina d'Ampezzo was initially selected to host the fifth Winter Olympics in 1944, but the Games were canceled due to the onset of World War II.

Cortina is best remembered for the debut of Soviet athletes in a Winter Olympiad, as well as for the first instance in which the Olympics were internationally televised.

“It’s a remarkably scarce winner’s medal and the winning bid exceeded our expectations,” said Robert Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction.

Highlights from the sale include, but are not limited by:

• Chamonix 1924 Winter Olympics Official’s Badge, sold for $33,223.

• Cortina 1956 Winter Olympics Torch, sold for $26,950.

• St. Moritz 1948 Winter Olympics Silver Winner’s Medal, sold for $20,828.

• Munich 1972 Summer Olympics Gold Winner’s Medal, sold for $14,799.

• Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics Silver Winner’s Medal for Baseball, sold for $14,354.

• Chamonix 1924 Winter Olympics Third Place Bronze Winner’s / Participation Medal, sold for $12,262.

• Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics Torch, sold for $11,025.

• Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics Set of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Winner’s Medals, sold for $10,780.

• Rome 1960 Summer Olympics Silver Winner’s Medal, sold for $10,067.

The Olympic Memorabilia auction from RR Auction began on January 12 and concluded on January 19.