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 1927 to 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel, 5% zinc. The changes in alloy after 1920 were due to the Mint trying to find a silver alloy that would remain attractive as it wore. The modified florin, dated 1927 to 1936, did not greatly alter the design of shields and sceptres, but removed the crowns from the shields and placed them on the sceptres. The bust of the King on the obverse was slightly modified in 1927.

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.