Florin (Two Shillings), Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

Effigy of the ruling British monarch, legend (in Latin).

During the existence of the denomination, florin coins were issued for:
- Queen Victoria (1848 - 1901), with three different portraits
- King Edward VII (1902 - 1910)
- King George V (1911 - 1936)
- King George VI (1937 - 1951)
- Queen Elizabeth II (1953 - 1970)

The reverse went through several transformations during the existence of the denomination.

The first design (1848 - 1887) shows a crowned cruciform (cross pattern) of shields bearing the three lions passant of England (twice, in positions 1 and 3), the lion rampant of Scotland (2), and the harp of Ireland (4). The shields are contained within a deeply tressured circular panel. In the angles are two roses, a shamrock and a thistle - the national plants of England, Scotland and Ireland respectively. In the centre there is a double Tudor rose. Around above, interrupted by St Edward's crown on top of the English shield, preceded by two decorative crosses and followed by one cross, the name of the denomination: ONE FLORIN; around below, its value as a fraction of the Pound Sterling: ONE TENTH OF A POUND. The general style, and especially the inscriptions, are Gothic hence the type is called the Gothic Florin (or the Godless Florin for the first two issues in 1848 and 1849, due to the omission of the "by the Grace of God" part of the Queens's legend in these years).

The second design (1887 - 1892), known as the Jubilee Florin because it had the Jubilee portrait of Queen Victoria on the obverse, is a similar cruciform but not as ornate, and the lettering is no longer Gothic in style; it no longer displayed the value and denomination though.

The third design (1893 - 1901) features, partly within the Garter of the Order of the Garter, three shields with the arms of England, Scotland, and Ireland. They are collectively crowned with St Edward's crown. Between the shields, a rose, thistle, and shamrock - the floral emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland respectively. Behind the shields, two crossed sceptres - one surmounted with an eagle, and one with an orb and cross. The Garter surrounding the shields is inscribed with the Royal motto HONI · SOIT · QUI · MAL · Y · PENSE ·, partly obscured by the shields. The value and denomination are given as · ONE · FLORIN TWO · SHILLINGS.

The fourth design (1902 - 1910) shows the standing figure of Britannia - the female personification of Great Britain, holding a trident in one hand and balancing a shield with the British Union Jack flag in the other, her cloak billowing in the wind behind. She wears a crested Corinthian helmet pushed back to reveal her face. Britannia is standing on the prow of an ancient ship, on which is inscribed the date of issue. Around left and around right, the value of the coin in two forms: ONE FLORIN on the left and TWO SHILLINGS on the right.

The fifth design (1911 - 1926) features a cruciform of four crowned shields forming a cross around the Star of the Garter. The shields bear the arms of England (top and bottom), Scotland (right), and Ireland (left). In the angles are four sceptres dividing the shields, two surmounted by orbs, the others by a harp and a thistle. Around above, divided by the crown on the top English shield, the denomination ONE FLORIN; around below, divided by the crown of the bottom English shield, the date of issue.

The sixth design (1927 - 1936) features a cruciform of four shields forming a cross around the King's initial, the letter G; the cross is diagonal (rotated 45 degrees). The shields bear the arms of England (above left and below right, Scotland (above right), and Ireland (below left). Dividing the shields are four sceptres ending with crosses, each surmounted by a representation of St. Edward's Crown. The denomination is given as ONE FLORIN.

The seventh design (1937 - 1951) features a rose (the floral symbol of England) crowned with the Crown of Saint Edward, dividing a thistle (the floral symbol of Scotland) above the letter G (for Georgivs - George) and a shamrock (the floral symbol of Ireland) above the letter R (for Rex - King). The denomination is given as TWO SHILLINGS. The design was issued in 50% silver until 1946, then in copper-nickel.

The eighth and final design (1953 - 1970) features at its centre a rose, the floral emblem of England. It is surrounded by linked thistles, shamrocks and leeks - the floral emblems of the other constituent countries of the United Kingdom: Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales respectively. The denomination is given as TWO SHILLINGS.

Various British colonies, dominions and dependencies also issued their own versions of the florin denomination (in some places called "two shillings"), usually to be used in parallel with their Imperial counterpart and with compatible dimensions and composition but sometimes made deliberately different. For these, see:

- Australia, Florin - issued 1910 to 1963, withdrawn 1966 (not demonetised); replaced by compatible Twenty Cents - still being issued and current
- British West Africa, Two Shillings - issued 1913 to 1952, demonetised 1968
- New Zealand, Florin - issued 1933 to 1965, demonetised 2006; replaced by compatible Twenty Cents issued 1967 to 2006, demonetised 2006
- Fiji, Florin - issued 1934 to 1965, demonetised 1969; replaced by compatible Twenty Cents issued 1969 to 2006, demonetised 2009
- Nigeria, Two Shillings - issued in 1959 only, demonetised 1973