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.
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