ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:

OK, Ailsa, you've seen the medals athletes have been winning at the Olympics all week.

AILSA CHANG, HOST:

Uh-huh.

SHAPIRO: Well, trick question - what do you think they're made of?

CHANG: Well, I want to say real solid gold, silver and bronze, but this question you're asking is making me second-guess myself, I guess.

SHAPIRO: As you should.

CHANG: (Laughter).

SHAPIRO: According to International Olympic Committee regulations, the Olympic gold medals must be made out of at least 92.5% silver...

CHANG: Oh.

SHAPIRO: ...Which comes out to 523 grams, and then they are plated with 6 grams of gold.

CHANG: Wait, wait, wait. Then, what is the silver medal made of?

SHAPIRO: Good question. The silver medal is 525 grams of pure silver.

CHANG: Hmm.

SHAPIRO: So I bet you're wondering about the bronze medal.

CHANG: Yeah.

SHAPIRO: It is an alloy made of copper, tin and zinc.

CHANG: Well, now you have me wondering how much each medal is worth.

SHAPIRO: Well, according to Oxford Economics, the gold is worth an estimated $1,027. The silver medal is about $535. And the bronze - sorry to tell you - it's about $4.60.

CHANG: (Laughter) Sorry, bronze winners.

SHAPIRO: Yeah, but the meaning - that's...

CHANG: Sure...

SHAPIRO: ...Priceless.

CHANG: ...Sure, sure, sure.

SHAPIRO: Oh, there is one other special element included in this year's medal.

CHANG: Tell me.

SHAPIRO: Each has a tiny sliver of the Eiffel Tower inside of them.

CHANG: Oh, my God.

SHAPIRO: So every athlete has an opportunity to bring home a piece of Paris.

CHANG: That is so awesome.

SHAPIRO: Priceless, I'd say.

(SOUNDBITE OF VANGELIS' "CHARIOTS OF FIRE") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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