If you can't outswim Michael Phelps or outrun Usain Bolt, what's the next best way to get a gold medal? By buying one, of course. And while it can be difficult to determine the exact value of a gold medal, they usually average out to about $12,000.
That's exactly what the current bid is for a gold medal once belonging to NBA All-Star Walter Davis.
The Phoenix Suns' all-time leading scorer, Davis won his gold medal at the 1976 Olympics on a team that included Adrian Dantley, Scott May and current Los Angeles Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak. Dean Smith coached Davis on that team as well as during his college years at North Carolina.
The medal, which weighs 5.45 oz with a 60 mm. diameter and a thickness of .50 cm, is being auctioned by Grey Flannel Auctions along with a host of other NBA treasures. That includes Dr. J's All-Star Jersey from 1987 ($16,000), Robert Parish's 1984 NBA championship ring ($10,500) and Jerry West's game-worn and autographed Lakers jersey ($23,938).
And while 12 grand might seem a bit pricey for a gold medal which is actually a majority silver, it's much less expensive than actually winning a medal yourself.
(H/T to USA Today)
