Florin (Australian coin)

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Florin (Australia)
Value:	Two Shillings Australian pound
Mass:	11.31 g
Diameter:	28.5 mm
Thickness:	2.50 mm
Edge:	Milled
Composition:	1910-1945 92.5% Ag 7.5% Cu 1948-1963 50% Ag 40% Cu 5% Zn 5%Ni
Years of Minting:	1910 - 1963
Catalog Number:	-
Obverse

Design:	George V, Australia's King
Designer:	Sir Edgar B. Mackennal.
Design Date:	1936
Reverse

Design:	-
Designer:	-
Design Date:	1931

The Australian florin was a coin used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalization. The denomination was first minted in 1910, to the same size and weight as the United Kingdom florin. The coin continued being minted, with some years of omission, and retained at least 50% silver until decimalisation in 1966. When decimalization happened on the 14 February 1966 the florin was equal to 20¢.

The image contained on the reverse of the coin was the Coat of Arms of Australia. 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 6 states represented in the shield and wattle plant as a background.

George W. de Saules designed the 1910 obverse of Edward VII.

1 Commemorative florins
2 Obverse varieties
- 2.1 Also minted
3 Reference

[edit] Commemorative florins

1927 Australian florin commemorating the opening of the original Parliament House

1934-35 Australian florin commemorating the centenary of Victoria and the establishment of Melbourne

1951 Australian florin commemorating 50 years of the Commonwealth of Australia

1954 Australian floring commemoraing the first visit of a reigning monarch to Australia

The obverse of the commemorative 1927 Australian florin, with
King George V

The obverse of the commemorative 1934-35 Australian florin, with King George V.

The obverse of the commemorative 1951 Australian florin, with
King George VI

The obverse of the commemorative 1954 Australian florin, with Queen Elizabeth II

[edit] Obverse varieties

Obverse of a 1931 florin depicting George V. It was designed by Sir Edgar B. Mackennal It was used for coins minted from 1911-1937.	An obverse depicting George V specially designed by Sir Edgar B. Mackennal for the 1927 Commemorative Florin.	An obverse depicting George V specially designed by Percy Metcalfe for the 1934-35 Commemorative Florin	An obverse depicting George VI. It was designed by Thomas Hugh Paget. It was used for coins minted from 1938-1950.
An Obverse depicting Elizabeth II. It was designed by Mary Gillick. It was used for coins minted from 1956-1963

[edit] Also minted

An obverse depicting Edward VII. Designed by George W. De Saules and used for coins minted in 1910.
An obverse depicting George VI. Designed by Thomas Hugh Paget and used for coins minted from 1951-1952.
An obverse depicting Elizabeth II. Designed by Mary Gillick and used for coins minted from 1953-1955.

[edit] Reference

(2000) in Ian W. Pitt: Renniks Australian Coin and Banknote Values, 19th ed., Chippendale, N.S.W.: Renniks Publications. ISBN 978-0-9585574-4-3.

Preceded by Florin (British)	Florin 1910-1966	Succeeded by Twenty cent coin (Australian)

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