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A double florin is a 4 shilling coin. Struck as part of a new coinage introduced for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, 1837-1887.
The coins all shared a new obverse of the Queen, adapted from Boehm's own Jubillee medal. Both the new head and the new double-florin denomination proved unpopular. The head was replaced in 1893 and the denomination only struck until 1890. The reverse design was adapted from the 5 guinea coin of Queen Anne.
The florin had been introduced in 1849 as a step towards decimalisation of the coinage; it was one tenth of a pound. |
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Obverse | |
Bust of Queen Victoria facing left wearing the small imperial crown, long veil falling behind her head, pearl necklace and earring, Ribbon and Star of the Garter and the badge of the Imperial Order of India; in small raised letters on the bust truncation, the artist's initials J.E.B. (for Joseph Edgar Boehm); around, VICTORIA DEI GRATIA. |
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Reverse | |
Four crowned shields arranged to form a cross about the Star of the Garter, top and bottom bear the arms of England, right Scotland, left, Ireland; between the shields ar four sceptres, two surmounted with an orb, one with a thistle and one with a harp; around, BRITT: REG: 1889 FID: DEF:, the date being divided by the crown above the top English shield. |
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Reverse Inscription |
BRITT: REG: 1889 FID: DEF: |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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