Double florin

The double florin (4/-)[1] was one of the shortest-lived British coin denominations ever, only being produced during four mint years, between 1887 and 1890. The silver coin weighed 22.6 grams (defined as ​8⁄11 troy ounce[2]) and was 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter.

Two florins
United Kingdom
Value​ 1⁄5 pound sterling
Mass22.6 g
Diameter36 mm
EdgeMilled
Composition92.5% Ag
Years of minting1887–1890
Obverse
DesignProfile of Victoria
DesignerJoseph Boehm
Design date1887
Reverse
DesignCrowned shields and sceptres
DesignerLeonard Charles Wyon
Design date1887

The obverse side of the coin shows a portrait of Queen Victoria wearing the Jubilee Crown, with the inscription "VICTORIA - DEI GRATIA"  (Victoria - By the grace of God), while the reverse side shows four cruciform-crowned shields bearing the emblems of England (x2), Scotland, and Ireland, with sceptres between the shields, in the style of Charles II's gold coins designed by John Roettiers; the inscription on the reverse reads, "FID DEF BRITT REG date".

The coin was introduced as part of a short-lived attempt at decimalization of the currency, after an earlier attempt had spawned the florin. As with the sixpence, Shilling, and Florin the coin was not demonetised as part of the 1971 decimalisation. Unlike those coins it has not been subsequently called in, and it remains legal tender for 20 pence. The coins are not likely spent, though, as the silver content of each coin is worth far more than 20 pence.

The coin acquired the nickname of "Barmaid's Grief" due to its similarity to the slightly larger crown coin (worth 5 shillings, 25% more than the double florin), as neither coin was marked with its denomination and both used an identical portrait of Queen Victoria on the obverse.[3]

Some coins minted in 1887 (the first year) had a Roman 'I' instead of an Arabic '1' in the date. This went unnoticed for a time until corrected, allowing the balance of the mint run to be produced with the correct date. These two variations are worth approximately the same, making the series more interesting for collectors.[4] Some coins dated 1888 and 1889 have an inverted Arabic 1 instead of the second I in VICTORIA as the result of a broken punch.

See also

References
  1. The notation "4/-" indicates 4 shillings and no pence.
  2. Kindleberger, Charles P. (2005). A Financial History of Western Europe. Taylor & Francis. p. 60. ISBN 9780415378673.
  3. "Economic Situation 01 March 1966 vol 725". Hansard. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
  4. Spinks Coins of England & the United Kingdom, 2007
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