Head of the Charles medal designs 

This photograph shows a Head of the Charles Regatta medal, something given to winners of the race held annually on the Charles River in Boston. The medal’s design has remained consistent since the regatta began in 1965. While the event started as a small race with only 100 competitors, it has grown into the largest rowing regatta in the world, now hosting over 11,000 athletes each year. The medal represents the tradition and prestige of the event, showing how a design object can gain greater cultural meaning as the event it represents grows in scale and importance. It belongs in the archive as an example of how design helps create lasting symbols within sports culture.

Photography credit: Mason D. Cox, 2013.