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1925 'Winning Toss' Florin

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New Zealand Rugby Museum

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.

Ngā whakamārama -
Details

  • Title

    1925 'Winning Toss' Florin

  • Maker

    The Royal Mint

  • Date made

    1921

  • Subject

    All Blacks, Coin, England, Invincibles, Rose, Silver Fern

  • Additional information

    Metal, 3cm

  • Rights

    All rights reserved

  • View source record for this item

    https://ehive.com/collections/3189/objects/45072

Kei hea tēnei taonga? -
Where is this item held?

New Zealand Rugby Museum

Whare taonga | Organisation

New Zealand Rugby Museum

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  • Text adapted with permission from Te Papa and Digital NZ

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