Summary

Australia
Florin (2 Shillings) 1956
Proof strike
Mint: Melbourne

After much heated discussion from 1953 the titles F:D:, removed at the start of the new reign, were returned to the obverse legend on the Royal visit florin in 1954. They were also returned to the regular coinage from 1955 but as no florin denomination coins were struck in 1955, this issue saw the first return of the letters to this denomination on a non-commemorative design.

Physical Description

A silver coin (28 mm diameter with milled edge) featuring on the obverse a laureate bust of Elizabeth II facing right; around, ELIZABETH II . DEI . GRATIA . REGINA . F:D: + The artist's initials M.G. incuse on the bust truncation above the G of GRATIA. The reverse is based on the arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, as authorised by Royal Warrant 19 September 1912 - composed of a shield divided into six parts, each containing a representation of the badge of a State (although that of South Australia is depicted as three sheaves of wheat above a rising sun instread of the authorised Piping Shrike). The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu standing on a grassy mound accompanied by small branches of wattle. Above the shield is a crown instead of the Federation star. Around above, FLORIN between two seven pointed stars; and below, in the exergue, the date, 1956 curved below which, AUSTRALIA. The artist's initials KG are in the field above the back of the emu.

Obverse Description

Bust of Elizabeth II laureate right; around, + ELIZABETH . II . DEI . GRATIA . REGINA . F: D: The artist's initials M.G. incuse on the bust truncation above the G of GRATIA.

Reverse Description

The reverse is based on the arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, as authorised by Royal Warrant 19 September 1912 - composed of a shield divided into six parts, each containing a representation of the badge of a State (although that of South Australia is depicted as three sheaves of wheat above a rising sun instread of the authorised Piping Shrike). The shield is supported by a kangaroo and an emu standing on a grassy mound accompanied by small branches of wattle. Above the shield is a crown instead of the Federation star. Around above, FLORIN between two seven pointed stars; and below, in the exergue, the date, 1956 curved below which, AUSTRALIA. The artist's initials KG are in the field above the back of the emu.

Edge Description

Milled

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