Australian Silver Florins
1954 and 1956 Australian Silver Florin
I hope you like these 2 coins from my boyhood collection of coins that I thought had been lost but fortunately was recovered a couple months ago in a box at my mums house. They certainly aren’t investment quality but they’re rich with memories. The 1954 coin commemorates the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Australia, the first time a ruling British monarch had ever visited the country.
The 1954 Australian commemorative florin
obverse features the laureate head of
young Queen Elizabeth II facing right,
with the legend:
'+ELIZABETH-II-DEI-GRATIA-REGINA-F:D:'
The reverse shows a lion and kangaroo
standing side by side facing right. Above
are the words 'AUSTRALIA FLORIN', and
below is the designer's initials and date.
1954 Royal Visit Australian Florin Specs
Monarch Queen Elizabeth II
Edge Reeded
Weight 11.31 grams
Diameter 28.5 mm
Composition 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel, 5% zinc
Minted Melbourne, Australia
Mintage approx. 2,000,000
Scarcity readily available in low to mid grade
Source
The 1956 Australian florin obverse features the laureate head of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right, with the surrounding legend '+ ELIZABETH - II - DEI - GRATIA - REGINA - F:D:'
On the reverse a kangaroo and an emu stand
either side of a shield, with representations of
the 6 states. Above the shield is the word 'FLORIN', and the royal crown. Below is the date, and the word 'AUSTRALIA'. In the fields are
golden wattle branches.
1956 Australian Florin Specifications
Monarch Queen Elizabeth II
Edge Reeded
Weight 11.31 grams
Diameter 28.5 mm
Composition 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel, 5% zinc
Minted Melbourne, Australia
Mintage approx. 8,090,000
Scarcity readily available in low to mid grades
Source
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The little things in life make a world of difference!
Some things in life, well, you just can't put a price on them.
Very true. I love the memories and the history of these coins.
They certainly have value...half silver and half memories!
Yes they do have some great value for me. I guess they do have a melt value with the silver but it’d be a shame melt them.
Nice! The '54 looks well stamped.
Ah Ozz has florins.....Our money in the Netherlands before EUR was written as fl. 10,- meaning ten guilders; the fl is from florin or florijn. All relate to Florence in Italy who created the standard.
I didn’t know about the Florence link but I guess it makes sense. The Medici grip on finance, culture and politics in Europe was legendary.
Great post. I also have a little 1962 sixpence. There is so much sentimental value in these coins.
I have a few shillings and sixpence, maybe I’ll post about them next week.
Interesting. For me, Australia is a mysterious country. And the coins are amazing. You, really, keep values. This is a great memory and a story :))
Thanks for info