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Australia George V

1922  Florin reverse 1922  Florin obverse

1922 Florin

7.5% Copper


Sales History


The 1922 Florin was produced at the Melbourne Mint with a total mintage of 2,057,858. Despite being a relatively substantial mintage the type is about as scarce and in some cases scarcer than its lower mintage counterparts. Population reports by PCGS show only around two dozen mint-state examples graded. The majority of these examples are MS62 and MS64 with the maximum grade being MS65. Collectors seeking a mint-state florin from this type may find the 1922 a poor choice given its typically weak strikes and relative scarcity in higher grades. Budget conscious collectors will likely do better looking at later pieces in the series.

Interestingly, in 1921 the British had reduced the silver content of their Florin from 92.5 percent to 50 percent. This action received substantial criticism with some complaining that the new coins produced a garish and unpleasant tone. (The Daily Telegraph, 1921) This British silver Florin slowly found its way into banks and purses in Australia. Although the British coin had the same official face value of the Australian Florin many were suspicious and confusion reigned. The Broken Hill newspaper the 'Barrier Miner' reported that "Tradespeople have regarded with suspicion a new type of florin... It is slightly discoloured and lacks the ring of the Australian coin." (Barrier Miner, 1921) Yet they reassure readers that the coin is " tender and worth its full face value."

This event has interesting historical repercussions as it further consolidated the need and desire of the Australian people to withdraw the Imperial currency from Australia. The official withdrawal of British coins from circulation in Australia had begun many years earlier however demand for coins and increasing levels of British migration had meant that the coins remained quite common across Australia.

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