United Kingdom (Great Britain) George V 1 Florin

History

1 Florin 1920-1926, KM# 817a, United Kingdom (Great Britain), George V

Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com

Description

The British florin, or two shilling coin, was issued from 1849 until 1970. Florins bearing a left-facing effigy of George V by Sir Bertram Mackennal were minted in each year of the King's reign (1910–1936) except 1910 and 1934.

The weight and diameter of the coin were unchanged but, because of rises in the price of silver, the metallic composition was changed in 1920 from 0.925 silver to 50% silver, 40% copper, 10% nickel, then again in 1922 to 50% silver, 50% copper. The changes in alloy after 1920 were due to the Mint trying to find a silver alloy that would remain attractive as it wore.

George V (1865–1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. He was the only Emperor of India to be present at his own Delhi Durbar. His reign saw the rise of socialism, communism, fascism, Irish republicanism, and the Indian independence movement, all of which radically changed the political landscape. In 1917, George became the first monarch of the House of Windsor, which he renamed from the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha as a result of anti-German public sentiment.

Obverse	Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) George V Bare head of King George V facing left; below on neck engraver's initials. GEORGIUS V DEI GRATIA BRITANNIARUM OMNIUM REX FIDEI DEFENSOR INDIAE IMPERATOR means George V, by the Grace of God, of all the Britains King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India. Engraver: Edgar Bertram MacKennal GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F.D. IND: IMP: B.M.
Reverse	Coat of arms England, Scotland, Ireland Four crowned shields forming a cross around the Star of the Garter, the shields bear the arms of England (top and bottom), Scotland (right) and Ireland (left); in the angles four sceptres, two surmounted by orbs, the others by a harp and a thistle; value on top, the date being divided by the crown above the lower shield. The Order of the Garter (formally the Most Noble Order of the Garter) is an order of chivalry founded by Edward III in 1348 and regarded as the most prestigious British order of chivalry in England and the United Kingdom. The star, which is worn pinned to the left breast, was introduced in the 17th century by King Charles I and is a colourfully enamelled depiction of the heraldic shield of St. George's Cross, encircled by the Garter, which is itself encircled by an eight-point silver badge. Each point is depicted as a cluster of rays, with the four points of the cardinal directions longer than the intermediate ones. Engraver: Leonard Charles Wyon ONE FLORIN 19 23
Edge	Reeded (milled)