Rare gold winner’s medal issued for the Tokyo 2022 Summer Olympics. Gilt silver, 86 mm, 556 gm, by Junichi Kawanishi. The front of the medal features text across the top, “Games of the XXXII Olympiad London 2020,” above the Olympic rings and a winged Nike flying over Panathinaikon Stadium with the Acropolis in the background; the reverse features the emblem of the Tokyo Games set against a ‘polished stone’ background with surrounding curved lines that represent different patterns of light and the energy of the athletes and their supporters. Retains its original multicolored ribbon, which bears traditional Japanese design motifs found in ichimatsu moyo (harmonized chequered patterns) and kasane no irome (traditional kimono layering techniques) in a modern format. The event, which is inscribed along the bottom edge of the medal, will be disclosed to the winning bidder. The medal bears trivial scuffs and marks. Includes the official Tokyo 2022 identification card issued to the gold medal-winning athlete. A robust and resplendent winner’s medal from the most recent Summer Olympiad, and the historic first occasion of a Tokyo 2022 gold medal being offered at auction.
