Rare prototype of a gold winner’s medal issued for "Slalom" at the Sapporo 1972 Winter Olympics. Gilt silver, 64 mm x 58 mm, 144 gm, designed by Kazumi Yagi and Ikko Tanaka and struck by the Mint Bureau of the Finance Ministry (Tokyo). The front features a vertical and raised curving line next to recessed concentric ovals, designs meant to denote a ski slalom trail and a speed skating stadium and to produce feelings of peace and security; the reverse features the embossed emblem of the XI Olympic Winter Games with the event engraved neatly to the lower right: “Slalom.” A beautiful prototype example of the elusive Sapporo gold winner’s medal.
