Special Set: Tokyo Then and Now

Anthonius Johannes (Anton) Geesink (1934-2010) gained worldwide fame 60 years ago when he became the first non-Japanese to win the World Judo Championship in the heaviest weight division. Many victories and prizes followed, including two more world titles, twenty-one European Championships and a gold medal at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. The Royal Dutch Mint has therefore minted an official commemorative coin, commissioned by the Ministry of Finance: the Anton Geesink 5 Euro Coin.
 
Tokio Then and Now
Anton Geesink is still a great example for fans of the judo sport. This is also the case for Noël van 't End, who won the World Judo Championship in 2019. He won this title in the legendary Budokan judo hall in Japan, following the footsteps of Anton Geesink; Geesink won his Olympic title in the same hall. This summer, Van 't End will go to Tokyo again for the Olympic Games. To emphasize the special bond between the celebrated judokas, both are now united in one set: Tokyo then and now!
 
The Design
This exclusive Silver Set contains the Anton Geesink 5 Euro Coin Silver Proof and a unique Noël van 't End Silver Proof medal. A portrait of Noël van 't End is depicted on the obverse of this exclusive medal. If you turn the issue around, you will see the front of a judo uniform, half light and half dark. This symbolizes the blue uniform and the white uniform that the opponents wear during competitions. This was invented by Anton Geesink, to make the match easier to follow by the referee and the audience. You also see two judokas bending towards each other, a sign of respect for the opponent. The Special Set comes in a luxury box, which is also decorated with the judo uniform with the contrasting colours. The wooden panel in which the issues are framed was once part of a wooden floor from the gym Anton Geesink founded in Utrecht. The panel is engraved with the words “Tokio toen en nu” (Tokyo then and now). This makes the set an extra special keepsake!