A silver FIFA 1934 World Cup medal, designed by Abel Lafleur, inscribed F.I.F.A., WORLD CUP, ROMA, GIUGNO 1934 Article 1 of FIFA's 1934 World Cup Tec

A silver FIFA 1934 World Cup medal, designed by Abel Lafleur, inscribed F.I.F.A., WORLD CUP, ROMA, GIUGNO 1934 Article 1 of FIFA's 1934 World Cup Technical Rules concerns amongst other things the presentation of medals. It is stated that ''Each National [Football] Association, taking part in the final competition, is entitled to receive 11 silver medals.'' What is being offered here is one of these FIFA silver medals as presented to National Football Associations at the 1934 World Cup. The medal is the same Abel Lafleur design as the winning players received, although the footballers were awarded gold versions - see lot 931 as an example. Between 1930 and 1950 only players from the winning XI received any form of medal. The silver FIFA medals were last presented to National Associations at the 1950 World Cup and there is no record of any official presentations to F.A.'s in 1954. In Sweden in 1958 the participating Associations received a souvenir plaque, and the nations finishing 1st, 2nd & 3rd additionally received a diploma. In 1966 the award of a diploma was extended to the 4th place team. These arrangements have stayed in place unchanged to the present day.