Double Florin UK (Great Britain) Europe Coins: World Coins & Paper Money

The double florin was introduced as part of a short-lived attempt at decimalization of the currency. In fact, the original florin was the product of an earlier attempt at decimalization. Since it is equivalent to 20 new pence, the coin was not demonetized as part of the 1971 decimalization. Ironically, the silver content of the double florin is worth far more than 20 pence, so these coins are never spent.

 

Mistakes in minting are treasured by coin collectors, and the double florin is no exception. The First 1 on the date is reversed on some double florins. This went un-noticed at the mint-proofs and the coins were struck for circulation in fairly large numbers, making an interesting collectors’ item. On February 15 of 1971, the United Kingdom decimalized the pound sterling. At the same time, the republic of Ireland decimalized the Irish pound. The net result of this decimalization was the extinction of the double florin. The double florin, however, lives on in the imaginations—and collections—of coin collectors.