Australian Coins One Florin - Two Shillings Silver Coin 1917 King George V
Obverse: Crowned head of King George V, facing left, • GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT:OMN:REX F.D.IND:IMP: (George V Dei Gratia Britanniarum Omnium Rex Fidei Defensor Imperator = George V by the grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India) around B.M. on truncation / • (dot) below.
Engraver: Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
Reverse: Coat of arms of Australia (also referred to as the Commonwealth Coat of Arms) based on the design granted by King Edward VII on 7 May 1908. (The coat of arms features an emu and kangaroo flanking a shield under a seven pointed star all over a banner with the legend “ADVANCE AUSTRALIA”), On the outer periphery is the denomination “ONE FLORIN – TWO SHILLINGS” and year of issue, • 1917 • M mintmark under date.
Engraver: William Henry James Blakemore.
Mint: M = Melbourne Branch of Royal Mint.
Country: Australia.
Years: 1911-1936.
Value: 1 Florin = 2 Shillings.
Metal: Silver (.925).
Weight: 11.31 g.
Diameter: 28.50 mm.
Thickness: 2 mm.
Shape: Round.
Total Series Mintage: 45,229,000
References: KM# 27.
Australian Florin
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.