Within a decorated border, the obverse of the coin shows the young crowned bust of Queen Victoria, facing left; the effigy is by William Wyon and is widely known as her "Gothic Portrait".
The Queen is crowned with the Crown of Saint Edward, which has been used in the coronation of English monarchs since the 13th century. Her hair is braided and held back in a bun, with a braid looping around her ear. Her dress is decorated with rose, thistle and shamrock - the national plants of the constituent nations of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland and Ireland respectively).
The artist's initials WW are near the edge below the portrait. Additionally, there is also a die number below the portrait, preceding the designer's initials.
Around, the monarch's legend: Victoria d: g: britt: reg: f: d: (abbreviated from Victoria dei gratia britanniarum regina, fidei defensor - Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith). Following that is the date of issue, mdccclxviii (MDCCCLXVIII is the year 1868 in Roman numerals). The lettering is in ornate Gothic script, giving the coin type its name, the Gothic Florin.
Note: the legend has "britt" (double t) unlike florins before 1868. |