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1889 Double Florin Victoria Silver Coin

1889 Victoria Silver Double Florin Coin Reverse

* These images show the type of coin you will receive, not the exact item

Buy a 1889 Double Florin

Queen Victorian silver Double Florins from 1889 (S 3923, Bull 2701, ESC 398). Double Florins are sometimes called 'Barmaid's Grief' or 'Barmaid's Ruin' since their similar size made it possible for the disreputable to pass them off as a more valuable Crown coin in a dimly lit Victorian pub. This potential for deception and strong criticism of their design meant that this denomination was discontinued after 1890. Like all of the coins in this small series, the obverse of the 1889 issue features Joseph Edgar Boehm's Jubilee Head portrait of Queen Victoria, while the reverse shows four crowned shields of royal arms. A collectable piece and an essential addition to any collection of Victorian silver.
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What Are Double Florins?

The Double-Florin was a short-lived denomination struck by the Royal Mint between 1887 and 1890. Worth four Shillings, these coins were introduced as part of the coinage redesign that coincided with Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee but were quickly discontinued.

Browse the range: Queen Victoria Double Florins

Queen Victoria Jubilee Portrait Obverse

Joseph Edgar Boehm's controversial Jubilee Head portrait of Queen Victoria appears on the obverse of all Double-Florins. Victoria is shown wearing the Small Diamond Crown and a long lace veil. The artist's 'J.E.B.' initials are shown on her shoulder, and the inscription reads 'VICTORIA DEI GRATIA'.

1889 Double Florin Reverse

The reverse of these silver coins reads 'REG: 1889 FID: DEF: BRITT:', divided by crowned shields of royal arms, arranged in a cruciform pattern with a Garter start in the centre and sceptres topped with national emblems in the angles.

Double Florin Specifications

British Double Florins are made from .925 sterling silver and weigh approximately 22.6 grams. These coins have a milled edge and measure 36 millimetres in diameter.

1889 Double Florin Mintage Figures

1,185,111 Double-Florins were issued by the Royal Mint in 1889. While this is the highest mintage year for this scarce denomination, the figure is significantly lower than those recorded for other circulating silver coins in the same period.