In the year of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the coins to be used in the Wimbledon Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s singles finals coin toss will be made of platinum for the first time in the event’s history. The coins are being presented to The Championships by the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC).
Made of 70 g 95 per cent fine platinum – each gram representing a year of service from Her Majesty – the coins have been specially designed to commemorate both Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the centenary of Wimbledon’s Centre Court at the All England Club’s Church Road Grounds.
The obverse, ‘heads’, side of each coin carries the official emblem of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and has been inspired by the themes of service, endurance and strength. The design incorporates a quotation from Her Majesty’s famous speech made on her 21st birthday on 21 April 1947, ‘my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service’, as well as an oak leaf motif inspired by the Royal Badge of the House of Windsor.
The reverse, ‘tails’, side of each coin is inscribed with the famous Wimbledon Roundel, as well as its centenary mark, specially designed for use in Centre Court’s centenary year. The Centre Court allusion continues with the use of the inspirational Rudyard Kipling quote, ‘If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same’; words that are famously inscribed above the players’ entrance to Centre Court.
The coins have been designed by bespoke jeweller Heirloom London in collaboration with Wimbledon. They will be produced in England by Heirloom London, using a combination of modern technology and traditional hand-engraving techniques.
The obverse, ‘heads’, side of the Wimbledon Championships 2022 Platinum Toss Coin
Precious platinum
The act of flipping a coin to determine an outcome is a practice that has taken place for centuries. The coin toss is a long-established feature of the traditional pre-match ceremonies that take place before the Wimbledon men’s and ladies’ singles finals.
As is customary, the Wimbledon Foundation, the Charity of The Championships, is seeking nominations from local residents to select two young people between 10 and 14 years old to help with this year’s coin toss.
In many cultures, platinum is the precious metal of choice synonymous with the commemoration of special occasions, especially when symbolising a 70th anniversary.
Platinum is also the metal that is unlocking the global hydrogen economy through its use in fuel cells for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and in electrolysers to make green hydrogen, where renewable electricity is an energy source. Hydrogen is poised to become a mainstream, sustainable fuel which will play a central role in decarbonisation.
