A stunned Antiques Roadshow guest gasped for air after discovering the incredible value of her grandmother's gold Olympic medal. Expert valuer Adam Schoon delivered the news to Julia, who had brought along a collection of swimming medals, including a gold medal from the 1924 Paris Olympics that belonged to her grandmother, Lucy Morton.
Julia shared the story of her grandmother, who started swimming at the age of 10. "My grandmother, Lucy Morton, she started swimming when she was about 10," Julia explained, showing a photograph of Lucy in the pool. "Her dad said, 'You're too much of a dunce at school, you don't seem to be doing very well,' and he decided, 'Let's try swimming.'"
While Lucy's swimming journey began as a way to improve her studies, she blossomed into a talented athlete. Julia presented a collection of medals, not only from major events but also from county and national races, demonstrating Lucy's remarkable rise in the sport. "It's covered in gold medals," Adam observed. "She's setting world records."
The star of the collection, however, was the 1924 Paris Olympics gold medal. "In 1923, they actually became very interested in her, and they asked her to start swimming in preparation for the 1924 Paris Olympics," Julia explained. "She trained and went to Paris in 1924. She wasn't expected to win or anything."
Despite not being considered a frontrunner, Lucy triumphed in the 200m breaststroke, becoming the first female swimmer to win a gold medal for Great Britain. "She made the final race in breaststroke 200m, and everyone was apparently cheering. She got to the end, and she had a chaperone, and the chaperone said, 'You've won!'" Julia recalled.
Adam was impressed by Lucy's achievements. "I'm really proud of her. At that age, that time, females weren't doing anything like that. To have actually swam at the age of 27, I think it was quite old back then."
He then revealed the valuation of the Paris Olympics gold medal. "So when it comes to the valuation, Olympic medal, £15,000?" Adam announced.
Julia's reaction was priceless. "What? The one medal?" she exclaimed, struggling to contain her surprise.
Adam continued, explaining that the medal, designed in Paris by Andre Rivaud and minted at the Paris mint, was one of only 304 produced. He also valued the rest of Lucy's medal collection at a further £15,000, bringing the total value of the collection to at least £30,000.
However, the true value, according to Adam, was the legacy of Lucy Morton, a pioneering athlete who went on to coach the Olympic team and act as a chaperone for other swimmers. "She just loved it. It was her life," Julia shared about her grandmother.
The stunning revelation of Lucy Morton's medal collection added another memorable moment to the Antiques Roadshow's long history of surprising discoveries and emotional stories.
