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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 this first type of Australian florin coins features the 1908 Coat of Arms; it became obsolete almost immediately, since Australia received a new Coat of Arms in 1912. In 1938, a new design superseded this one - featuring the new Coat of Arms; the old type of coins remained in circulation.
Coins issued in 1910 were withdrawn at decimalisation in 1966 after 56 years in circulation, but have never been formally demonetised and are still legal tender.
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| Obverse | |
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Crowned and robed bust of King Edward VII facing right; the King is wearing the Imperial Crown, the ermine Robe of State and the Collar of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
Below the bust truncation, in small letters are the artist's initials DES (for [George William] de Saulles).
Around, the monarch's legend: EDWARDVS VII D: G: BRITT. OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: ·. Translated from Latin: Edward the Seventh, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse features the Ensigns Armorial of the Commonwealth of Australia, as authorised by Royal Warrant 7th May 1908.
At centre, simple shield enclosing a cross of Saint George on which are five six-pointed stars, around the outside of which are six small escutcheons (small shields). The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu standing on a grassy mound. Above the shield a crest, the seven-pointed star of Federation on a wreath and on a ribbon at the base, the motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA is inscribed.
Around above, the value and denomination ONE FLORIN - TWO SHILLINGS; below, between arrow heads, the date 1910. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
ONE FLORIN - TWO SHILLINGS 1910 ADVANCE AUSTRALIA |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | The first issue of florins for the Commonwealth of Australia. 1910 was the first year that an Australian Commonwealth coinage was issued. The four silver denominations were all struck in London.
Krause catalogues lists mintage of 1,259,000.
The Standard Australian Coin Catalogue and The Australian Coin Chart list mintage of 1,250,000.
Additional references:
Sharples, John. 1985. Australian Coins 1919 to 1924. Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia. 1 (July): 4-18. |
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