What Is A Double Florin?
Double Florins are British silver coins, only struck between 1887 and 1890. These coins were valued at four Shillings and made from 22.6 grams of .925 sterling silver at the Royal Mint, then based on Tower Hill, opposite the Tower of London.
These coins were introduced in the same year that a new portrait of Queen Victoria was first seen on UK currency. Known as the Jubilee Head because it was introduced in Victoria’s Golden Jubilee year, it was the work of sculptor Joseph Edgar Boehm and shows the Queen with a small crown and a long lace veil. The inscription on the obverse of all Double Florins reads 'VICTORIA DEI GRATIA'.
The reverse of the Double Florin was designed by engraver Leonard Charles Wyon, the son of William Wyon. It shows four crowned shields of royal arms, arranged in a 'cruciform' pattern around a central Garter star. In the angles between the shields are sceptres, topped with national emblems: the Sovereign's orb, a Scottish thistle and an Irish harp. The inscription is divided by the crowns and reads 'REG: [YEAR] FID: DEF: BRITT:', continuing on from the obverse legend.
Why Are Double Florin's Called 'Barmaid's Ruin'?
The design of the Double Florin proved immediately unpopular for several reasons.
Commentators did not like the new effigy of Queen Victoria and poked fun at her double chin and the small crown which seemed likely to topple off her head.
It was also noted that the coin did not state its value on its face. This proved a problem for people handing cash who could easily mistake it for the similarly sized Crown coin. This problem is said to have been particularly pronounced in dimly lit Victorian pubs where Double Florins could be easily passed off for the more valuable denomination. This led to the Double Florin being referred to as 'Barmaid’s Grief’ or 'Barmaid’s Ruin’.
The controversy around the design of the Double Florin led to these coins being discontinued after 1890 though they did remain in circulation. Officially, the Double Florin was not demonetised when Britain decimalised its currency, with these coins technically still legal tender with a value of 20p.
Double Florin Full Mintage Figures
The Double Florin was struck for circulation, but the mintage figures for these coins are universally low, especially when compared with the other silver coins, including Halfcrowns, Shillings, and Sixpences struck in the same years.
- 1887 Double Florin: 483,347
- 1888 Double Florin: 243,340
- 1889 Double Florin: 1,185,111
- 1890 Double Florin: 782,145
A small number of proof Double Florins were also struck in 1887 for inclusion in scarce 1887 proof sets issued in Victoria's Golden Jubilee year.
A range of variants of the Double Florin are recorded and collected with the short issue adding to the appeal of what seems like minor design details among those looking to acquire a full series.