Coin | Two Shillings (Florin) 1948 |
---|
|
The pre-decimal florin (2s) was a unit of currency equalling two shillings, or one tenth of a pound sterling, or twenty-four pence. There were eight types of florin issued before this one: the so-called Godless Florin (1848 and 1849), followed by the Gothic Florin (1851 - 1887), the Jubilee Florin (1887 - 1892), a florin featuring three shields (1893 - 1901), the Britannia Florin (1902 - 1910), the first florin issue of King George V (1911 - 1926), the second florin issue of King George V (1927 - 1936), and the silver florin of King George VI (1937 - 1946).
In 1947, together with the rest of the silver coinage, the denomination was debased to copper-nickel; it retained the same design and continued to be issued with it until 1951. It was re-designed at the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
When the currency became decimal in 1971, florins were re-denominated as ten new pence; they remained legal tender until 1993, when a smaller type of ten pence replaced them. Thus, a florin coin issued in 1948 was legal tender for 45 years.
|
|
Obverse | |
The obverse of the coin shows the bare (uncrowned) head of King George VI facing left.
Below the neck truncation in small letters, the artist's initials HP (for [Thomas] Humphrey Paget).
Around, part of the the monarch's legend in Latin GEORGIVS VI D : G : BR : OMN : REX (George the Sixth, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains). |
|
|
Reverse | |
The reverse design 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).
Divided by the base of the rose, in tiny letters the artist's initials KG (for [George] Kruger Gray).
Around above, the continuation of the monarch's legend from the obverse: FID: DEF: IND: IMP: (Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India).
Around below, the denomination TWO SHILLINGS, and the date: 1948. |
|
Reverse Inscription |
FID: DEF: IND: IMP: TWO SHILLINGS 1948 |
---|
|
Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
|
Included in Set |
The 75th Birthday of His Majesty King Charles III Celebration Coinage Collection, mintage 1,000, limited to 1,000
|
His Majesty King Charles III 1948 and 2023 Coinage Collection, mintage 2,023, limited to 2,023
|
The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III Celebration Coinage Collection, mintage 1,000, limited to 1,000
|
|