Yesterday the final relay runner delivered the flame of Olympia to the Olympic Stadium in London, inaugurating the 2012 Summer Games Opening Ceremony. The 8,000-plus golden metal torches used during the relay - each has 8,000 holes, representing the 8,000 torchbearers who carried the flame 8,000 miles over 70 days - have become instant collectibles.
In fact, Olympic relay torches are among the rarest and most desirable of all Olympics collectibles; some have brought six figures at auction. But the demand for the new 2012 torches is unprecedented.
(thanks Lisa)