The Australian florin was a coin used in the Commonwealth of Australia before decimalisation in 1966. The florin was worth two shillings (24 pence, or one-tenth of a pound). The denomination was first minted in 1910 to the same size and weight as the British florin.

1942 S florin minted during the reign of George VI, showing the last common reverse design for Australian florins.

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 to 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 coin was minted until 1963, with some years omitted: no florins were minted in 1920, 1929–30, 1937, 1948–50 and 1955. Also, commemorative florins were issued for the following years: 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 issued in 1965, as all minting was shut down in preparation for decimalisation. 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. When Australia decimalised officially, on 14 February 1966, the florin was equal to 20 cents.

Circulation types

ImageYearsTechnical parametersDescription / Legend / Designer
Obverse ReverseFromToDiameterThicknessMassCompositionEdgeObverseReverse
1910191028.5 mm2.5 mm11.31 g92.5% silver 7.5% copperReededEdward 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
19111936George 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
19381945George VI
GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX: F:D:IND:IMP.
by Thomas Hugh Paget		Coat of arms of Australia below an imperial crown
* FLORIN * AUSTRALIA
by George Kruger Gray
1946194750.0% 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

19531954Elizabeth II
+ ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA
by Mary Gillick
19561963Elizabeth II
+ ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRATIA.REGINA.F:D:
by Mary Gillick

Commemorative florins

Mintmarks

  • H : Birmingham
  • M : Melbourne
  • S : San Francisco

References

  • Ian W. Pitt, ed. (2000). Renniks Australian Coin and Banknote Values (19th ed.). Chippendale, N.S.W.: Renniks Publications. ISBN 978-0-9585574-4-3.
  • Bruce, Colin R.; Thomas Michael (2005). 2006 Standard Catalog of World Coins (1901–present). KP Books. p. 69. ISBN 0-87349-987-5.
  • Florins article on Cruzis Coins Archived 8 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
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