Mintage:2,095,000 Reverse Designer:W. H. J. BlakemoreObverse Designer:Sir E. B. MacKennelSize:28mmWeight:11.31gEdge:ReededComposition:92.5% Silver 7.5% Copper
Values
Sales History
Current listings
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The 1918 Florin was the third year that Florins had been produced at the Melbourne Mint. The
total
mintage
for the year was 2,095,000 which was relatively typical for the series. Finding the coin in mint-state is a difficult
task with PCGS population reports showing limited numbers with MS65 the maximum and the majority of mint-state pieces hovering
around MS62. Collectors seeking a mint-state example from this era may find that the 1916-M is a more affordable and easily
sourced option.
After the outbreak of World War I in 1914 the Royal Mint in London became heavily involved in
manufacturing military materials. This wartime necessity reduced the Mint's ability to fulfil Australia's demand for new
currency. In 1914 and 1915 this problem was resolved by a number of additional coins being produced under contract by the
private mint of Heaton & Sons in Birmingham. In late 1915 it was decided that production should shift to Australia and on
the 1st of November the Melbourne Mint was instructed to prepare to strike silver coinage. New dies for the Australia Florin,
Shilling, Sixpence and Threepence were produced in London for use at Melbourne Mint with a small 'M' mint-mark. Melbourne
would continue to produce Florins with the 'M' mint-mark until 1921 when the Commonwealth Government removed the mint-marks
as they wanted the dies to be interchangeable between mints in Australia.
Melbourne 'M' mint-mark on a 1918-M Florin.
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