Based on a little bit of a research that I have since conducted, it is meant to signify good luck. Traditionally, it involves a silver coin wedged in a Champagne cork.
This is what I found via two posts on Yahoo! Answers (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080305120632AAldhNE):
"dont know where the traditions from but i know my gran did this for each of my children when they were born and ive put them in their keepske boxes [...]"
and"When I catered for weddings I always put a 50p coin in the 1st Champagne bottle and presented it to the bride, when I got married in 1967 my grandmother put a half crown coin in my toast bottle cork - for luck - we have just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary."
Also, the top-most post links to this page on BBC where there's a whole thing on Corks http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A735789 Here is what it says:
Corks
This doesn't have to be a champagne cork but it does need to be from a bottle. When a bottle is shared and the occasion is a happy one, take the cork from the bottle, making a wish that the pleasure you feel at this happy event is repeated, placing a coin in a slit on the top of the cork as you do so. Sleep with the cork under the pillow and then place it in your pocket for the next day. Rub the cork any day thereafter (it's advisable not to rub the cork too vigorously as this may elicit looks of disgust from passers-by) whenever you wish to hear from the people that shared the bottle with you. Do not wish for love, but rather, continuing happiness; corks symbolise buoyancy, not love.
The pictures below are of the corks that I received from my friends Melissa & Mike (the one with the Euro), as well as the one from Fred's mom (the one with the NYC Subway token- now that's old school).
Enjoy traditions, embrace them, they make ordinary moments extra-ordinary!
This doesn't have to be a champagne cork but it does need to be from a bottle. When a bottle is shared and the occasion is a happy one, take the cork from the bottle, making a wish that the pleasure you feel at this happy event is repeated, placing a coin in a slit on the top of the cork as you do so. Sleep with the cork under the pillow and then place it in your pocket for the next day. Rub the cork any day thereafter (it's advisable not to rub the cork too vigorously as this may elicit looks of disgust from passers-by) whenever you wish to hear from the people that shared the bottle with you. Do not wish for love, but rather, continuing happiness; corks symbolise buoyancy, not love.
I have not done the whole sleeping with it under my pillow or rubbing it yet... hope it's not too late!
In the end, I think it's a nifty tradition that is cool and something that I am thankful to my friends for sharing. I am sure that it's also a ritual that I will be adapting as well. Sister, for your housewarming, the cork is on me!The pictures below are of the corks that I received from my friends Melissa & Mike (the one with the Euro), as well as the one from Fred's mom (the one with the NYC Subway token- now that's old school).
Enjoy traditions, embrace them, they make ordinary moments extra-ordinary!
Persistence -- When we first met in college, the thing that separated Dalila from all the rest of the girls I had met was her persistence. There were a lot of girls in that school, and I didn’t want to be held down to one, so I turned down her initial advances at me. But she kept coming. Even after multiple rejections from me, she knew that I was what she wanted and she did not stop until she had me. Once I saw the determination and the resolve she had to get me, I realized that she was worth the time, and have never regretted it since. Since she persisted in getting me, I see it only fit that I try to make her accept my proposal in every way I possibly can. 
Hair -- Dalila has the most beautiful yet craziest head of hair I have ever seen. She has complicated tight curls that have many tints and intricacies to them, each strand containing its own personality. If there is one thing that people notice about her when they first meet, it’s always the hair. Many a time people have asked her if it was real or if she spent hours to look that way. I’ve never meet another person whose hair has as much personality. Her hair is what I first noticed when I met her, and to this day is still a major part of my most fond memories of her. 
Family -- Dalila’s loyalty to her family almost makes me feel guilty for my loyalty to my own. There is nothing in life that she does where she doesn’t consider family first, and always looks to help them in any way she can. And her family is full of wonderful and loving people who are the kindest and most genuine people I have met in a lifetime. I would very much like to consider them part of my own family. 
Temper -- Dalila has a temper a mile wide. She is so full of life, passion, and energy that if she does not have an outlet it can manifest itself in the wrong way. Much like a superhero or atomic energy, she is capable of great good, but can lead to great destruction if not treated with care. I need to be there for her when tempers flare to bring her back down from critical meltdown. 
Head in the clouds, feet on the ground -- Dalila is the constant optimist. There is nothing she can’t overcome, and she wants to accomplish so much, but can get carried away on her own. I am the constant realist, calculating, analytical, and efficient. Together we balance out each others flaws and are capable of so much. 
Shoulder aka pillow -- Without my shoulder to lean on, Dalila would never have a good place to rest her head on the subway. Her hair would probably get caught in gum or in the train doors and she would never get a good nap. For the sake of her health alone she needs me for emotional and upper lumbar support. 
Projects -- Dalila loves undertaking new projects. From sewing to cooking to tea ceremonies to painting and so much more, she loves keeping busy and being productive. No one needs more work done to them than me. My hair is constantly a mess, I still mostly wear the same clothing I did when I was in high school (Not the same style mind you, the same actual articles of clothes), I have tons of collectables that I do nothing with, and my desk is just a mess. I need to be her project and she will always have something to do with me around. 
Love letters -- When we were in College and when we first started seeing each other, Dalila used to write me love letters all the time. They were never sappy poetry or contrived, they were always from the heart, to the point, and memorable. I remember one time I bought her a journal as a gift (an actual journal, pen and paper, not a blog), and not only did she fill the entire book, front and backs of pages with entries about me and her, but she gave it to me to keep when she was done. I always loved these letters, so I though it was only fair that I wrote her one. 
Her childlike enthusiasm -- I can’t really put words to this point as it’s rather hard to explain. Let’s just says that Dalila sees the world through lenses of a different color. I wish I could still see the wonderment in things that she does. She will understand what I mean if she reads this more than anyone else. 
Love -- It’s totally contrived and predictable for me to say it, but it’s hard to argue with the truth. I love Dalila with everything I got. I’m certain she feels the same. Regardless of the last nine reasons, this is the only one that really counts, but I hope the other nine helped prove that I really do love her to those of you who are reading this. 
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