From:World Rugby Museum
Name/TitleTrophy - The Calcutta Cup
About this objectThe Calcutta Club (in India) presented this, the oldest trophy in international rugby, to the Rugby Football Union in 1877.The RFU declined to use the trophy as a prize for a nation-wide club competition, such as Soccer’s new FA Cup competition, but accepted it as a challenge cup for international use. The Calcutta Cup is presented to the victors of the England v Scotland fixture played annually as part of the 6 Nations Championship. It was first contested in 1879 in a game that ended in a tie. England became the first victors the following year. The trophy was made in Kolkata in 1878 using the melted down silver rupees that constituted the savings of the disbanded Calcutta Rugby Club, from whom the trophy derives its name.
Only two other countries were playing at the time - Scotland and Ireland. Since Ireland’s results by 1877 had been poor (five defeats and no points scored in five games) the RFU decided to use the cup for their annual encounter with Scotland
The Calcutta Cup is made from melted down solid silver Rupee coins, taken from the Club’s account and given to the silversmith to work with as was the custom at the time. Solid silver Rupee coins remained in use in India until the 1930s.
Date Made1878
Credit LineIndia
Object TypeTrophy
Object number2001/113
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
