This rare photo is of the NWA belt on the night it was first presented. It sits on the mat of the ring in the Sam Houston Coliseum on Friday, July 20, 1973.
This was the first version of the belt known as "the ten pounds of gold". It was on a wide leather strap encased in red velvet fabric. You will notice that the belt does not yet have the "Jack Brisco" name plate on it, which would be attached to the belt just below the word "WRESTLING." Brisco defeated Harley Race for the title that night in Houston.
The belt as you see it here was used until early 1974 when the wide velvet-covered strap was replaced by a black leather strap cut very close to the shape of the main plate of the belt.
These, and hundreds of other details about the belt itself and how it evolved over the years it was in service, are a part of the book "Ten Pounds of Gold", available now in its second edition.
What's New in the Second Edition?