Displayed is the 2005 James Smithson Bicentennial Medal presented to James Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell. On the court, Russell was a master at winning championships. Unselfish for points, Russell was a 6'9" center who concentrated on defense and rebounding. Russell's great skill and team play led to his teams winning two NCAA Championships at the University of San Francisco in the 1950s, a Gold Medal in the 1956 Olympics, and an amazing 11 NBA championships in his 13 years as a player, and player-coach, with the Boston Celtics. The James Smithson Award is the highest award of the Smithsonian Institution. The award began in 1965 in honor of scientist James Smithson, the founder of the institution. The award goes to those who have made "exceptional contributions to art, science, history, education and technology." Included with the award is the parchment proclamation from the Smithsonian Institution that goes with the award. This proclamation reads: "The Smithsonian Institution proudly presents The James Smithson Bicentennial Medal to William F. "Bill" Russell/Famed as a revolutionary player and coach in the National Basketball Association, Bill Russell has championed the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History since 1979 as a donor, member of its Blue Ribbon Commission, and ambassador for its traveling exhibition 'Sports: Breaking Records. Breaking Barriers.' His two-and-a-half decades of extraordinary service have profoundly contributed to the fulfillment of James Smithson's mandate for the 'increase and diffusion of knowledge. May 5, 2005.'"

 The gorgeous, bronze medal has a diameter of 2.5", and it is 0.125" thick. The gold-colored medal has a raised bust of Smithson on front. Raised letters and numerals on front read, "JAMES SMITHSON 1765 - 1829." Also, on front is "P. VINCZE." The designer of the Smithson Medal, VINCZE was a Jewish-Hungarian who escaped Nazi persecution to become a world-famous sculptor and designer of coins and medals. On back, the stunning medal has a raised image of The Smithsonian Institution. Raised lettering on the verso reads, "SMITHSONIAN INSTUTUTION/FOR THE INCREASE AND DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE AMONG MEN/WILLIAM F. "BILL" RUSSELL 2005." The breathtaking medal weighs 4.25 ounces. It comes with its original carrying case, which does show wear, with various scrapes, scratches and abrasions. However, the carrying case did its job in protecting the medal inside, and the medal itself is beautiful and in EXCELLENT condition.

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