Double florin (British coin)

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The Double Florin (4/-) was one of the shortest-lived British coin denominations ever, only being produced between 1887 and 1890. The silver coin weighed 22.6 grams and was 36 millimetres in diameter.

The obverse side of the coin shows a portrait of Queen Victoria wearing a veil, with the inscription VICTORIA DEI GRATIA, while the reverse 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 Roettier; the inscription on the reverse says FID DEF BRITT REG date.

The coin was introduced as part of a short-lived attempt at decimalization of the currency--an earlier attempt had spawned the florin. Since it is equivalent to 20 new pence, the coin was not demonetized as part of the 1971 decimalization. The coins are never spent, though, as the silver content is worth far more than 20 pence.

For other denominations, please see British coinage.

There is a variety where the first 1 of the date is reversed. This went completely unnoticed at the mint-proofs and currency coins were struck is reasonably large amounts. This makes the series more interesting for collectors.