SettingsSettings Subscribe  

NumisTip

Australia George VI

1938  Florin reverse 1938  Florin obverse

1938 Florin

Mintage:2,990,000
Reverse Designer:George Kruger Gray Obverse Designer:Thomas H. Paget Size:28mm Weight:11.31g Edge:Reeded Composition:92.5% Silver
7.5% Copper

Values

Sales History

?

In 1936 George VI was crowned King of the United Kingdom following the death of King George V and the abdication of King Edward VII. After a two year hiatus, the first George VI Florin was issued. It was designed by designed by Thomas H. Paget and depicts the crown-less King facing left.

The reverse of this type was also new, featuring a modified Australian Coat of Arms as designed by George Kruger Gray. The new design was released to provide a more striking image and depict all of the Australian states on the Coat of Arms. The new type was first struck on the 11th of February by Mrs R. G. Casey, the wife of the Federal Treasurer. The master of the Royal Mint stated that the coin was - "One of the most handsome coins I have ever seen." (The Argus, 1939)

The 1938 Florin had a mintage of 2,990,000 which was somewhat low for the George VI series. As the first year of the George VI type it seems likely that the coin was heavily hoarded which would explain why, despite the low mintage, the coin is not particularly scarce. PCGS has graded over one hundred mint-state examples of which five are MS65. Mint-state examples of this type are very affordable and easy to source.

Find out what dealers are paying with a subscription.

Subscribe now!

Find out what coins have actually sold for and where with a Standard/Professional subscription.

Subscribe now!