Netherlands. Proof Gold and Silver Coins Mark Centenary Anniversary of TT Assen Races

The TT Assen is not just an ordinary motor sporting event, it is also an iconic part of motorsport history. In 1925, the first racing event for road racing motorcycles was held on country roads through the villages of Rolde, Borger, Schoonloo and Grolloo organised by the Motorclub Assen en Omstreken. The next year, the Dutch TT – the initials representing ‘Tourist Trophy’ was held at Assen but now through a specially organised street circuit through the towns of De Haar, Barteldsbocht, Oude Tol, Hooghalen, Laaghalen and Laaghalerveen. The original raceway, known as the Van Drenthe Circuit was in place from 1926 until it was replaced in 1955 when a whole new circuit was built by using a third of the original street course joined with purpose-built sections, but less than a third of the length and much more like a modern road raceway.

The event attained world championship status in 1949 when it was sanctioned by the International Motorcycling Federation as part of the inaugural Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championship season, making it the oldest event on the Moto GP calendar. As such, the venue holds the record for being the only circuit to have hosted a motorcycle Grand Prix event every year since the series was created in 1949 with the exception of 2020 when the race was cancelled due to the pandemic.

As interest in the TT Assen grew, so did the investment and expansion, especially from 1999 to 2002 when the circuit invested millions of euros in upgrades. In 1999, the circuit management placed a new main grandstand and hospitality buildings. In 2000, a new Race Control tower was built as well as 34 newly equipped pit boxes, a new media and medical centre. Between September 2001 and April 2002, another €9 million was spent on the enlargement of the paddock area from 40 to 60,000 square metres.  The circuit was fundamentally redesigned again in 2006, becoming the so-called A-Style Assen TT Circuit. All alterations aside, only one section of the circuit has remained in its original location or position, and that is the finish line.

Today, one hundred years later, the races are still taking place in Assen, and more than 150,000 spectators are expected to fill the Grandstands over the three-day event which begins this year on the 27^th until the 29^th June. The Assen TT will consist of 26 laps for Moto GP, 22 laps for Moto2, 20 laps for Moto3, and 7 laps for MotoE. The total race distance for each category will be approximately 118.09 km or, 73.38 miles. for MotoGP, 99.92 km (62.09 miles) for Moto2, 90.84 km (56.45 miles) for Moto3, and 31.79 km (19.76 miles) for MotoE. The Moto GP calendar generally features around 20 to 24 riders in each class, and it's possible that the 2025 event could see a larger field. The current track has a length of 4.555 kilometres or, 2.830 miles with the mixture of superfast, flat-out and slow corners. This premier motorbike race is indisputably a highlight of the sporting calendar so, it is no wonder the event is known as The Cathedral of Speed! All the big champions have ridden here and all the big champions have won here too. It’s a not-to-be-missed motor-biking event for all ages.

The gold and silver proof and silver BU coins are designed by graphic artists Alex Jacobs and Ellemieke Schoenmaker. The reverse side of the design symbolises three essential aspects of the TT - the race, the people and the location. The motorcyclist on the coin represents the speed and dynamics of the race. The grid points, incorporated in the design, refer to the public and the connection of the people with the event. The straight lines behind the racer represent the flat Drenthe landscape. Between the grid point and horizontal lines is the commemorative text TT ASSEN with the additional text 100 JAAR superimposed over the lines. The denomination 10 euro (gold) or 5 euro (silver) is cleverly added to the side panels of the motorcycle where adverts or brands would usually be features. The obverse side includes a three-quarter front-facing image of HM King Willem Alexander looking towards the right. The King is portrayed by using similar grid points and horizontal lines as used on the reverse side and informally depicts him as one of the spectators in the grandstands. To the left is the text WILLEM-ALEXANDER shown over the grid background and KONING DER NEDERLANDEN superimposed over the linear half. Under the image of the King is the year of issue, 2025.

Available from the 5^th June, Both the Uncirculated and Brilliant Uncirculated €5 coin are sealed in a coin-card format. The silver Proof coin is presented in a colourful folder and includes images of the TT Assen motorcycle Race and commemorative logo.  The €10 gold Proof quality coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom wood-branded Royal Dutch Mint case, along with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Royal Dutch Mint. Collectors in North America can visit the Coin & Currency Institute partner distributor.