Name/Title1925 'Winning Toss' Florin
About this objectSpun 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.
MakerThe Royal Mint
Maker RoleMint
Date Made1921
Place MadeGreat Britain
Medium and MaterialsMetal
Inscription and MarksEmbossed with a Silver Fern on one side and an English Rose on the other
Measurements3cm
Credit LineDonated by Hector Gray, 1973
Object TypeCoin
Object numberB195
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
