Florin

The Australian florin was a coin used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalisation in 1966. The denomination was first minted in 1910, to the same size and weight as the United Kingdom florin. Florins minted from 1910 to 1945 were produced with a .925 sterling silver content, weighing 11.31g (.3636 troy ounce) with an actual silver weight (ASW) of .3363 troy ounce. Florins minted between 1946 and 1963 were produced with a .500 silver content, weighing 11.31g with an ASW of .1818 troy ounce.

The florin was worth 24 pence or two shillings or a tenth of a pound. The coin was minted until 1963, with some years of omission. When Australia decimalised on 14 February 1966 the florin was equal to 20¢.

During World War II, between 1942-1944, florin production was supplemented by coinage produced at the San Francisco branch of the United States Mint. These coins bear a small "S" mint mark below the Australian coat of arms.

The image on the reverse of the coin was the Coat of Arms of Australia (except for commemorative coins). This comes in two forms, all with the kangaroo, emu and the shield containing the coat of arms. Those issued between 1910 and 1936 have a star above the Coat of Arms, and the Southern Cross within the shield. Those issued between 1938 and 1963 have the royal crown above, the six states represented in the shield and wattle plant as a background.

Circulation types

Image		Years		Technical parameters				Description / Legend / Designer
Obverse	Reverse	From	To	Diameter	Thickness	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse
		1910	1910	28.5 mm	2.5 mm	11.31 g	925‰ silver	Reeded	Edward VII EDWARDVS VII D:G: BRITT. OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: by George William de Saulles	1908 coat of arms of Australia (with ADVANCE AUSTRALIA on ribbon) ONE FLORIN - TWO SHILLINGS by W.H.J. Blakemore
		1911	1936						George V GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT: OMN: REX F.D.IND:IMP: by Bertram Mackennal
		1938	1945						George VI GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX: F:D:IND:IMP. by Thomas Hugh Paget	Coat of arms of Australia * FLORIN * AUSTRALIA by George Kruger Gray
		1946	1947				500‰ silver
		1951	1952						George VI GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX FIDEI DEF. by Thomas Hugh Paget
		1953	1954						Elizabeth II + ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA by Mary Gillick
		1956	1963						Elizabeth II + ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA.F:D: by Mary Gillick
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Commemorative florins

Reverse of the 1927 Australian florin commemorating the opening of the original Parliament House. Designed by George Kruger Gray.

Obverse of the commemorative 1927 Australian florin, with King George V. Designed by George Kruger Gray.

Reverse of the 1934-35 Australian florin commemorating the centenary of Victoria and the establishment of Melbourne. Designed by George Kruger Gray.

Obverse of the commemorative 1934-35 Australian florin, with King George V, designed by Percy Metcalfe.

Reverse of the 1951 Australian florin commemorating 50 years of the Commonwealth of Australia, designed by Leslie Bowles.

Obverse of the commemorative 1951 Australian florin, with King George VI, designed by Thomas Hugh Paget.

Reverse of the 1954 Australian florin commemorating the first visit of a reigning monarch to Australia, designed by Leslie Bowles.

Obverse of the commemorative 1954 Australian florin, with Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Mary Gillick.

Mintmarks

• H : Birmingham
• M : Melbourne
• S : San Francisco

References

• Ian W. Pitt, ed (2000). Renniks Australian Coin and Banknote Values (19th ed. ed.). Chippendale, N.S.W.: Renniks Publications. ISBN 978-0-9585574-4-3. 
• Bruce, Colin R.; Thomas Michael (2005). 2006 Standard Catalog of World Coins (1901-present). KP Books. p. 69. ISBN 0-87349-987-5. 
• Florins article on Cruzis Coins

Links

• Australian Florins
• The Australian Florin