[tedsanders]

Yes, the Nobel prize is still the creme de la creme of prizes (in physics).

Source: Me, a physics PhD student who has met a few Nobel laureates

P.S. It's amazing how much universities and people like to affiliate with Nobel laureates just because of their award, and not their science. When I was at a university where a professor won the Nobel prize, he gave a talk identical to one held the previous year. Before the prize, about 10 people showed up. After the prize, hundreds showed up and couldn't fit in the room.

[auctiontheory]

At Berkeley, Nobel laureates get a parking spot on campus.

[tedsanders]

And they also often get streets named after them, at least on the hill.

[auctiontheory]

And elements, but I digress.