Mention the Richmond Shilling to most people, and you’ll most likely be met with a blank stare.
But for more than a century, a fistful of cash has been a pleasant treat handed out to those waking up in hospital on Christmas Day.
The tradition was the brainchild of the late James Richmond, the proprietor of Dunedin’s Scotia Hotel, who died in 1881.
A publican until the end, Mr Richmond intended that each convalescent in hospital in Dunedin over Christmas would receive a shilling — enough to buy a jug of beer.
This year, Te Whatu Ora Southern planned care district manager Nigel Copson delivered the "shilling", with other managers and their families.
In dollars, and adjusted for inflation, about 218 patients received the $10 tucked into a small brown envelope.
Mr Copson described the tradition as a "lovely wee treat", especially given that Christmas was a hard time for those patients in hospital by themselves.
For patients who might come in during the night, some envelopes were left with the duty manager so that no-one missed out, Mr Copson said.
His family had received the shilling themselves many years ago when his daughter Natalie had been in hospital.
While the concept of the Richmond Shilling required explaining to most patients, the response to the heartwarming tradition had been wonderful, Mr Copson said.
Ward 8 inpatient Carol Garry (88), who worked in the print room at the Otago Daily Times for 13 years from 1972, was excited to receive the shilling.
"I think it’s amazing."
She had had heard about the shilling for many years and it was tremendous to receive it herself, Ms Garry said.
She thought she might keep it as memento.
The shilling is funded by the Richmond Estate and the Healthcare Otago Charitable Trust.
At Wakari Hospital the bequest money is used to fund general Christmas celebrations.
