Florin 1954 - Royal Visit, Coin Type from Australia - detailed information

Florin 1954 - Royal Visit, Coin Type from Australia (issued 1954 - 1954)
Coin TypeFlorin 1954 - Royal Visit

The Australian Florin is a silver coin which was used in the Commonwealth of Australia prior to decimalisation. It has the same dimensions and composition as the British pre-decimal florin, from which it is derived (for a time, the coins circulated in parallel and were interchangeable in Australia - but not in the United Kingdom). A Florin is equal to two shillings, or 24 pence, or one tenth of a pound.

The reverse of the regular circulating Australian florin coins of the time features the 1912 Coat of Arms.

This is the fourth and last Australian circulating commemorative florin. It was issued to commemorate the first visit of a reigning monarch to Australia.

The coins are made of 50% (0.1818 oz ASW).

After decimalisation on 14 February 1966, the florin was re-denominated as 20 cents and continued to circulate for a time, along with the new 20¢ coins which were the same size and weight (but made of copper-nickel). Even though they were practically withdrawn from circulation in 1966, the florin coins were never formally demonetised and are still legal tender.

Obverse
Australia / Florin 1954 - Royal Visit - obverse photo

Laureate young bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (effigy known as the "First Portrait").

The designer's initials, M.G. (for Mary Gillick) appear incuse on the base of the neck truncation.

The monarch's legend runs continuously all around the bust: + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.

Obverse Inscription + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Reverse
Australia / Florin 1954 - Royal Visit - reverse photo

Within a denticled (toothed) border, the reverse design shows a lion (as a symbol of the United Kingdom) and a kangaroo (as a symbol of Australia) standing together on a curved ground line facing right and looking into the distance.

Around above, the inscription AUSTRALIA FLORIN; in the exergue, the date 1954.

The artist's initials WLB (for William Leslie Bowles) are in the ground below the front foot of the lion.

Reverse Inscription AUSTRALIA FLORIN 1954
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
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Florin 1954 - Royal Visit: Details
CountryAustralia
CurrencyAustralian Pound
Sub-type ofFlorin
From1954
To1954
Face Value2 (x Pound)
CurrentNo; withdrawn 1966
Material0.500 Silver
DesignerWilliam Leslie Bowles
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size28.5000 mm
Thickness2.5000 mm
Mass11.3100 g