Collector’s Note
In the deep south of France, among the green hills of Larrivière-Saint-Savin, lies a place unlike any other in the world known as the Chapelle Notre Dame du Rugby. Players, coaches, and fans visit this unique sanctuary to honor fallen teammates, give thanks for healing, and experience a profound spiritual brotherhood. Collecting artifacts from this site connects numismatists to a deeply moving aspect of French rugby culture that exists far beyond the stadium lights.
Design & Craftsmanship
Struck from .925 sterling silver, this miniature souvenir medallion measures 12 by 11 mm with a thickness of 1 mm and weighs just 1.14 grams. The obverse depicts a tender scene where the infant Jesus holds a rugby ball in his hands while gently reaching out to the Virgin Mary. The reverse features the abbreviated name of the chapel and its location inscribed across three lines as “N.D. DU RUGBY LARRIVIERE”.
“This exquisite medallion replicates the chapel’s main sacred statue, serving as a powerful and portable talisman of protection for players on and off the field.”
Uniqueness
As an intimate souvenir medallion produced specifically for pilgrims and visitors to the chapel, this tiny piece is a scarce and unusual numismatic survival. Measuring little over a centimeter, its delicate scale and high-detail execution set it apart from standard athletic medals. Surviving examples function as cherished keepsakes that capture the intersection of personal faith and rugby devotion.
A Landmark Issue
This piece commemorates the spiritual legacy of a chapel founded through the initiative of local priest Abbé Michel Devert following a tragic 1964 car accident that claimed the lives of three young French rugby players. Officially opened in 1967, the sanctuary transformed a ruined 11th-century building into a global shrine adorned with over 700 jerseys left by international teams, including the legendary All Blacks. This landmark issue immortalizes the extraordinary history of a sacred space where the global rugby community unites in memory and hope.
