In stark contrast to the Hollywood-like trappings of the Red Sox receiving their World Series rings this year, there was no such too-doo when the Sox won the first-ever World Series in 1903, and no glitzy, diamond-encrusted rings to be had. Instead, after the Bosox (known alternately as the Americans or the Pilgrims) beat the NL's Pittsburgh Pirates in 8 games (5 games to 3 in a best-of-9), the only hardware the players got was this utterly amazing historical piece -- a solid gold medal engraved with each one's name, in this case that of Buck Freeman, the team's slugger (having racked up an AL-best 13 home runs and 104 RBIs that season). The unimaginably rare piece will provoke a double-take from any serious collector, being one of only two known of these medals to have survived over a century of time (the other awarded to Fred Parent resides in Cooperstown). Consider that, for all the excitement over the Sox winning it all after 86 years, this medal goes back 15 years further! What's more, the condition of the medal is not to be believed -- near perfect, with only a modicum of light tarnishing that can easily be buffed and restored to its pristine 1903 condition! Besides its obvious attraction for Beantown buffs, it is an historian's dream in general, as an artifact from the first Fall Classic -- which was nearly not played at all. It wasn't until mid-September that the 2 owners, Boston's Henry Killilea and the Pirates' Barney Dreyfus, finallly hashed out terms for the Series, which began October 1 at Boston's Huntington Avenue Base Ball Grounds. Because the Bucs had Honus Wagner, few gave the champs of the upstart league a chance, but Boston had Cy Young and after losing game one, Young won 2 games and Bill Dineen 3, those 2 hurling 60 out of the 62 innings. After the last out, there was no celebration -- the two teams simply went to the theater to see a performance of "The Billionaires", something they definitely were not, as the Boston players returned to the park the next day for their winning share -- $1,182 per player -- and the medals, courtesy of the Boston Globe. The crest-style medal is 1 1/4" at its widest top corners and 1 1/4" tall from pointed bottom to the globe atop the piece that is attached to a hook through which a chain could be run. Front of the medal is engraved "Boston American League Team" and "Worlds Champions, 1903" above and below a design of a catcher's mark, crossed bats and a "B" on the left and an "A" on the right. Back engraved, "Presented to J.F. Freeman, R.F., Boston American League Team, By the Boston Globe, 1903," surrounded by laurel leaves. The medal comes with the original brown and gold case, the top of which has separated from the bottom and still contains the silken cushion material inside. Medal must be graded as EX+. The ultimate in World Series memorabilia, and a piece of the highest historical importance.