From:World Rugby Museum
Name/TitleMedal
About this objectTriple Crown Medal 1908. This is a particularly beautiful object. It is a "Triple Crown" medal awarded to Percy Bush, a member of the Wales side who triumphed over England, Scotland and Ireland in 1908.
The medal depicts the three conquered nations with the Prince of Wales Feathers standing triumphantly on top of them. It is solid gold with coloured enamel and in almost mint condition. Although the "triple crown" has always been purely a concept with no official award, the Welsh took the opportunity to award their players with these medals. It has been interpreted as a form of subverse payment to their players, in a time when payment completely contravened the amateur values of rugby union. England never produced such medals as the amateur values were strong in the RFU.
The Welsh however faced a mass exodus of talented rugby union players to rugby league, where they could be paid for their games. This is why it is believed that these solid gold medals were given as payment 'in lieu'. Percy Bush played eight times for Wales between 1905 and 1910. His first match was the famous match against New Zealand in 1905, and he had captained Cardiff against New Zealand the week earlier. Bush was picked for the Anglo-Australian Tour (British Isles) in 1904 before receiving his first cap for Wales.
Date Made1908
Measurements50 x 28 x 3mm (1 15/16 x 1 1/8 x 1/8")
Object TypeMedal
Object number2006/224
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
