With the world current abuzz with talk of the World Cup in Brazil, we thought it would be timely to take a look closer look at some sports trophies awarded today. Here is a look at the Top Ten Most Treasured Sports Trophies in the World.
- The FIFA World Cup Trophy –After Brazil won the award in 1970, the FIFA World Cup Trophy replaced the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1974. The original trophy was hidden from the Germans during World War II, it was stolen and found a week later by a dog in England in 1966, and was ultimately stolen in 1983, never to be found. This latest version of the trophy is made of 18 carat gold, stands 14.5 inches tall, and weighs a whopping 13.5 pounds. The gold itself is valued at over $200,000.
- The Stanley Cup – Hockey’s Stanley Cup started as 7 inch punch bowl in 1892. Since every player of every championship team is engraved on the trophy, it continually grows in size with silver bands added as needed to the bottom. It now stands at about 3 feet high and weighs roughly 34 pounds. The melt value of the trophy would be about $11,000.
- The Super Bowl Trophy – Every year a new two-foot tall, 7 pound trophy is created by Tiffany & Company to be awarded to the NFL team that wins the Super Bowl. Following the game, the name of the winning team, final score and game date is engraved on the trophy. It will then be send back to the victorious team to keep forever. The highly polished trophy costs the NFL about $50,000 to make each season.
- The Larry O’Brien Trophy – The championship trophy for the National Basketball Association is made of 16 pounds of sterling silver and is overlaid in 24 carat gold. Each year the NBA sinks about $10,000 into creating the award.
- The Commissioner’s Trophy – Awarded to Major League Baseball’s World Series winner, the Commissioners Trophy includes an elaborate display of baseball pennants, each on its own flagpole. The trophy is constructed of 30 pounds of sterling silver with gold overlay and is estimated to be worth about $15,000.
- The Borg Warner Trophy – This is the trophy that the name and likeness of each Indianapolis 500 winner is inscribed upon. The massive trophy is almost five and a half feet tall and includes 110 ounces of sterling silver. The silver alone would be worth over $35,000, but it is estimated at auction the historic trophy would bring over $10,000.
- America’s Cup – First given in 1851, America’s Cup is considered the oldest continuously-awarded sports trophy in all of sports. Estimates of its value vary but the New Zealand Government recently spent $36 million in efforts to win it.
- Wimbledon Trophy – “The Gentlemen’s Single Trophy” was first awarded at the All England Club in 1887. It stands a foot and a half tall and is about 8 inches around. It is made of silver gilt and some estimates place its value at $80,000.
- Wanamaker Trophy – Golf’s PGA’s Championship Trophy is one of the most treasured in the sport. The 27 pound silver trophy has a history that goes back to 1916 when Rodman Wanamaker put $2,500 of his own money to create the trophy. It is said beyond the historical value, the trophy contains about $8,000 worth of silver.
- Heisman Trophy – Presented to the best college football player of the year, the statue is made of 45 pounds of bronze, but its value is far beyond that of the metal. Individuals have sold their trophies at least 7 times in the history of the award. Prices have ranged from $184,000 to $395,000, with O.J. Simpson’s selling for $255,000 in 1999.
