Heritage Auctions presents a unique opportunity for numismatists and philanthropists when it brings Dmitry Muratov’s 2021 Nobel Peace Prize under the gavel, with 100% of proceeds to benefit UNICEF’s humanitarian response for Ukrainian children displaced by war on June 20.
The five Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace are regarded as the ultimate recognition for contributions to humanity. They were established and financed by namesake Alfred Bernhard Nobel who, in his will, wanted to recognize the remarkable achievements of “those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.” Since 1901, 603 prizes have been awarded to 962 individuals and 25 organizations. The list of award recipients includes laureates who have saved hundreds of millions of people with their inventions, diplomats and presidents that have promoted world peace, and individuals like Heritage Auction’s consignor, Dmitry Muratov, who champion freedom of speech.
Muratov hopes everyone will join him in a campaign to help the children of Ukraine displaced by war. To that effect, Heritage Auctions offers his Nobel Peace Prize for auction, with the proceeds to benefit UNICEF’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis. The auction is scheduled to conclude on June 20th, World Refugee Day.
Nobel Medals are highly collectible for their artwork and the achievements they represent. This award is unlike any other auction offering to present. Mr. Muratov, with the full support of his staff at Novaya Gazeta, is allowing Heritage to auction his medal not as a collectible but as an event that he hopes will positively impact the lives of millions of Ukrainian refugees.
The Norwegian Nobel Institute, in a first-ever endorsement, lauded the sale of a medal for this fundraiser. In a letter of support, Director Olav Njølstad stated, “This generous act of humanitarianism is very much in the spirit of Alfred Nobel. The intended sale is therefore subject to the wholehearted approval of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.”
The full scope of the Ukrainian refugee crisis is difficult to quantify and far exceeds any other refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. As of May 24th, the United Nations estimates 6.6 million refugees have left Ukraine. More than 3.5 million fled to Poland, nearly 1 million more to Romania, and yet another 1 million to Russia. Hungary, Moldova, and Slovakia struggle to accommodate around half a million more each. The U.N. states there are more than 10,000 refugees in at least two dozen more countries. Millions more have been displaced within Ukraine, all needing food, shelter, and other necessities. In all, it is estimated 14 million people are believed to have sought refuge by fleeing their homes.
Dmitry Muratov and Maria Ressa were the 2021 joint recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize, recognized for “their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.” The Nobel committee’s words are a modest account of the life’s work of Muratov and Ressa. In the tradition of other Nobel recipients, their work does not cease after the award ceremony. Mr. Muratov’s contributions continue to go beyond free speech to humanitarian initiatives. He donated the Nobel committee’s cash award to children suffering from spinal muscular atrophy, among other charities. Despite the forced closure of his news outlet, Novaya Gazeta, he works tirelessly to make an impact, most recently with charities delivering life-saving medications to children.
The Nobel Peace Prize is distinct from the medals for sciences and literature. Unlike the other prizes awarded in Sweden, the Peace Prize is presented by the Norwegian Nobel Institute. The artistic engravings of the two different medals are distinct, with the Peace Prize more bas relief than medallic in form. Gustav Vigeland executed the engraving, which since 2012, has been struck by Det Norske Myntverket (Mint of Norway) in Kongsberg. On the edge of the medal is “Prix Nobel de la Paix” along with the recipient’s name and year of the award, in this case, “Dmitry Muratov 2021.”
One successful bidder will walk away from this auction with a gold medal representing Mr. Muratov’s life’s work and sacrifice. Still, it is his wish that everyone participates by donating what they can to UNICEF. As the goal is to use this event to foster awareness of refugee crises and for the giving to continue long after the auction on June 20th and not simply auction-off an invaluable collectable.