‘Mine to Medals: The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Medals’ at the British Museum

“And, if we thrive, promise them such rewards as victors wear at the Olympian Games” – William Shakespeare Henry VI, Part 3 – Act II Scene III.

You have until 9 September 2012 to head on down to the British Museum and learn about the production of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, in an exhibition titled ‘Mine to Medals: The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Medals’.

This free exhibition is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

From the design process of the medals made by David Watkins and Lin Cheung, to the mining of the actual metal by Rio Tinto, this unique exhibition provides visitors with unique insight into what has become the modern Olympic Games most poignant and well-recognised symbols.

Although it’s not just information about the history and production of the Olympic medals that is being focused on during the ‘Mine to Medals’ exhibition, as the exposition is also focused on the role Great Britain has played in the creation and development of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Samples of the gold, silver and bronze medals the top athletes will be awarded with this summer are on display at this rare and one-off event, ranging from the Games that took place in the small Shropshire town of Much Wenlock in 1850 to the medals given to the winning athletes of the Paralympic Games that took place from 1960 and 1984.

The British Museum, with its comprehensive exposure of history and culture, is widely considered to be one of the greatest museums in the world. Asides being home to a permanent collection that exceeds some eight million works, the British Museum hosts a throng of unique, rare, fascinating and mind-blowing exhibitions all year-round.

And as the world’s greatest playwrights once wrote “if we thrive, promise them such rewards as victors wear at the Olympian Games”, the British Museum’s global reputation in producing truly enthralling exhibitions is certainly true with ‘Mine to Medals: The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Medals’.