A new record for a prestigious Australian sporting medal has been achieved at an auction in Melbourne.
The first ever Chas Brownlow Medal, awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League, better known as Aussie Rules, sold for AU$203,660 on August 24.
The medal, awarded to Geelong's Edward "Carji" Greeves in 1924, came in just above its $200,000 low-end estimate at the Charles Leski Auctions sale.
The auction house called it the "foundation medal of the award that is the most important and respected annual sporting award in Australia".
While Aussie Rules maintains a low profile outside its native land, this sale demonstrates that the passion for the game's history and its collectibles in Australia is strong.
 The Chas Brownlow Medal was named after an early Aussie Rules administrator |
The 1930 version of the Brownlow Medal, awarded to Richmond's Stan Judkins, also found a new home at the auction.
In contrast to the 1924 medal, however, it made a meagre AU$35,940; a clear reminder of the value collectors attach to the original form of a collectible, sporting or otherwise.
"It's very rare for a Brownlow to come on the market for auction and for two to come at auction is unprecedented," Charles Leski told Australia's ABC News.
"Only six Brownlow medals have ever been offered at auction before."
Earlier this month, a 1960 Olympic gold medal belonging to Australian swimmer John Konrads sold for AU$11,250, also at Charles Leski Auctions.
Paul Fraser Collectibles will bring you further sporting memorabilia news from around the world throughout the course of the year, so make sure you check back here regularly.
- Click here to view our Memorabilia stock items for sale
- Learn how you can get pleasure & profit from sports collectibles
- Read all the latest Memorabilia news
Join our readers in over 200 countries around the world - sign up for your free weekly Collectibles Newsletter today
