artiFACT Collectible

1977 Special Olympics Participation Medal with Oath Inscription

1970s · A-Boy Ent. Inc., Denver, Colorado, USA — manufactured and distributed by the Kennedy Foundation / Special Olympics Buckle

Estimated value: $15–$50

Special Olympics, founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in the 1960s, grew rapidly through the 1970s as a grassroots movement to provide athletic competition and recognition for people with intellectual disabilities. Participation medals like this one were awarded to every athlete who competed, making them symbols of inclusion and effort rather than victory alone—the oath inscribed on the back ('Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt') became the movement's defining motto and appears on medals from this era.

Value is most affected by condition, whether the front face is intact and detailed, the historical significance of the specific games it was awarded at, and collector interest in Special Olympics memorabilia.

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