Dr. Francis Crick’s 1962 Nobel Prize for discovering DNA structure at Heritage Auctions Gold Nobel Medal being auctioned by Crick’s heirs; April 10 auction in New York City, previewed in London March 5-6
and danced with my sister Gabrielle. It was a great honor to be there.”
After receiving the medal, however, Crick – never one to rest on his laurels, went right back to work.
“We know he deeply appreciated the recognition by his peers,” said Michael, “but he did not talk much about winning the medal after the event. That was the thing about my Dad; he was a very focused scientist and after DNA he went on to work on the mechanism of protein synthesis, deciphering the three-letter nature of the genetic code and determining the origins of life on earth. He was a driven scientist his whole life. At 60, he turned his attention to theoretical neurobiology and for the next 28 years helped advance the study of human consciousness.”
Crick’s granddaughter echoes those sentiments about his humble nature and attitude of hard work.
“My Granddad was honored to have received the Nobel Prize,” she said, “but he was not the type to display his awards; his office walls contained a large chalkboard, artwork and a portrait of Charles Darwin.”
Crick’s initials are engraved on the reverse of the medal, along with the year of the prize, 1962, presented in Roman numerals: “F. H. C. Crick/MCMLXII.” The second piece of the Prize, the Nobel diploma – two beautifully handwritten, vellum pages, 9.5" x 13.5", in Swedish, dated Stockholm, October 18, 1962 – is also included.
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