AMNH Exhibition Unveils Iconic Sports Jewelry and Trophies

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is set to open a captivating exhibition, For the Win: Objects of Sports Excellence, on May 15. Located in the Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery within the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, the exhibition delves into the history of athletic achievement by showcasing some of the most famous jewelry, trophies, and medals in sports history.

A Celebration of Athletic Greatness

Featuring over 70 objects from more than 15 sports and spanning nearly 150 years, the exhibition highlights the evolution of sports prizes. Visitors will witness the transformation from traditional medals and trophy cups to the elaborate and often gem-encrusted rings awarded today. The collection includes pieces from legendary athletes and teams, offering a glimpse into the defining moments of victory.

Guest Curator Vikki Tobak, known for her previous work on the 'Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry,' emphasized the significance of each item. 'Every object in this exhibition honors what it means to be great, what it means to win,' Tobak stated. 'A ring, a medal, a trophy—each one marks the moment an athlete, a team, a dream defied the odds and made history.'

Featured Highlights

Among the standout pieces are:

• One of Jesse Owens’ Olympic gold medals from the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin.
• An Olympic torch from the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City, the first lit by a woman, Enriqueta Basilio.
• Yogi Berra’s Babe Ruth Crown, awarded in 1975 for his lifetime batting achievements with the New York Yankees.
• Breanna Stewart’s 2024 WNBA Championship ring for the New York Liberty, which notably includes a pair of hidden earrings.
• Kevin Durant’s 2017 Golden State Warriors NBA Championship ring and his 2024 Team USA Olympic gold medal.
• Justin Tuck’s 2008 and 2012 New York Giants Super Bowl rings, featuring diamond-set Vince Lombardi Trophies.
• A Vince Lombardi Trophy, one of the National Football League’s highest honors, handcrafted by Tiffany & Co.
• The Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, Major League Soccer’s top prize.
• Ali Krieger’s 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup medal.
• Katie Ledecky’s 2025 Golden Goggles Award.
• Claressa Shields’ 2019 WBO Middleweight Championship belt, inscribed with her nickname, ‘T-Rex.’
• An 1877 NYPD Medal of Valor, believed to have inspired the New York Yankees logo.

Beyond the Display: Connecting Sports and Science

The exhibition aims to connect the physical achievements in sports with the science behind them and the cultural significance of athletic pursuits. AMNH President Sean M. Decatur highlighted this connection: 'For the Win brings together an extraordinary collection of objects that commemorate the defining moment of victory in sports, meticulously crafted from spectacular gems and minerals, and explores how athletics can resonate far beyond the field of play.'

The exhibition also serves as the kickoff for the museum’s larger initiative, World Cup, World Cultures: Celebrating the Community and Science of Sport, in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This series will include interactive soccer activities, media installations, live World Cup match viewings, educational programs exploring sports biomechanics and cultural significance, and a block party.

Rich Kleiman, CEO of Boardroom and senior advisor for the exhibition, expressed his enthusiasm: 'The American Museum of Natural History is iconic, and this exhibition has been a perfect collaboration in the celebration of winning at the highest level in sports. I’m excited for people to experience it.'

Entry to 'For the Win: Objects of Sports Excellence' is included with general museum admission.