Florin (Australian coin)

The Australian florin was a coin used in the Commonwealth of Australia before decimalisation in 1966. The denomination was first minted in 1910, to the same size and weight as the United Kingdom florin. Florins minted from 1910 to 1945 were produced with a .925 sterling silver content, weighing 11.31 grams (0.3636 troy ounces) with an actual silver weight (ASW) of 10.46 grams (0.3363 ozt). Florins minted from 1946 through 1963 were produced with a .500 silver content (50% silver), weighing 11.31 grams with an ASW of 5.65 g (0.1818 ozt).

The florin was worth 24 pence (two shillings or one-tenth of a pound). The coin was minted until 1963, with some years omitted as follows: no florins were minted for the following years: 1920, 1929–30, 1937, 1948–50, 1955, and none after 1963. Also, commemorative florins were issued for the following year dates: 1927, 1934–35, 1951, and 1954. Two different designs were issued in each of the commemorative years (the "regular" approved issue plus the specially approved memorial designs). Also, no coins of any denomination were minted for the year 1965, in preparation for decimalisation. When Australia decimalised officially, on 14 February 1966, the florin was equal to 20 cents.

During World War II, between 1942–1944, florin production was supplemented by coinage produced at the San Francisco branch of the United States Mint. These coins bear a small "S" mint mark below the Australian coat of arms.

The image on the reverse of the coin was the coat of arms of Australia (except for commemorative coins). This comes in two forms, all with the kangaroo, emu and the shield containing the coat of arms. Those issued between 1910 and 1936 have a seven-pointed star above the coat of arms, and the Southern Cross constellation within the shield. Those issued between 1938 and 1963, inclusive, have the royal crown above, the six states represented in the shield and a golden wattle plant as a background.

Circulation types

Image Years Technical parameters Description / Legend / Designer
Obverse Reverse From To Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse
1910 1910 28.5 mm 2.5 mm 11.31 g 92.5‰ silver, 7.5‰ copper Reeded Edward VII
EDWARDVS VII D:G: BRITT. OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP:
by George William de Saulles 		1908 coat of arms of Australia (with ADVANCE AUSTRALIA on ribbon)
ONE FLORIN - TWO SHILLINGS
by William Henry James Blakemore
1911 1936 George V
GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT: OMN: REX F.D.IND:IMP:
by Bertram Mackennal 		1908 coat of arms of Australia (with ADVANCE AUSTRALIA on ribbon)
ONE FLORIN - TWO SHILLINGS
by William Henry James Blakemore
1938 1945 George VI
GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX: F:D:IND:IMP.
by Thomas Hugh Paget 		Coat of arms of Australia
* FLORIN * AUSTRALIA
by George Kruger Gray
1946 1947 50.0‰ silver, 40.0‰ copper, 5.0‰ nickel, 5.0‰ zinc
1951 1952 George VI
GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX FIDEI DEF.
by Thomas Hugh Paget
1953 1954 Elizabeth II
+ ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA
by Mary Gillick
1956 1963 Elizabeth II
+ ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA.F:D:
by Mary Gillick
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Commemorative florins

Mintmarks

References

External links

Preceded by
Florin (British)		 Florin
1910–1966 		Succeeded by
Twenty cent coin (Australian)
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