1925 'Winning Toss' Florin; The Royal Mint; 1921; B195
Name/Title
1925 'Winning Toss' Florin
1925 'Winning Toss' Florin
About this object
Spun in the air at London's revered Twickenham rugby ground on 3 January 1925, this 'lucky' florin won the toss for the New Zealand 'Invincibles' team in their victorious match against England. It seems referee Albert Freethy and team captains Jock Richardson (New Zealand) and Wavell Wakefield (England) came onto the field without a coin. Fortunately, an All Blacks supporter DG Gray of Dunedin was seated nearby and lent them a florin. So thrilled that his coin was used in the All Blacks 17-11 win, Gray later had it embossed with a fern on one side and a rose on the other. The coin came out of retirement in 1987, and has been used ever since for the toss in opening games of the Rugby World Cup.
Spun in the air at London's revered Twickenham rugby ground on 3 January 1925, this 'lucky' florin won the toss for the New Zealand 'Invincibles' team in their victorious match against England. It seems referee Albert Freethy and team captains Jock Richardson (New Zealand) and Wavell Wakefield (England) came onto the field without a coin. Fortunately, an All Blacks supporter DG Gray of Dunedin was seated nearby and lent them a florin. So thrilled that his coin was used in the All Blacks 17-11 win, Gray later had it embossed with a fern on one side and a rose on the other. The coin came out of retirement in 1987, and has been used ever since for the toss in opening games of the Rugby World Cup.
Maker Role
Mint
Mint
Date Made
1921
1921
Medium and Materials
Metal
Metal
Inscription and Marks
Embossed with a Silver Fern on one side and an English Rose on the other
Embossed with a Silver Fern on one side and an English Rose on the other
Measurements
3cm
3cm
Credit Line
Donated by Hector Gray, 1973
Donated by Hector Gray, 1973
Object number
B195
B195
Tags
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