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Australian Florins

1916M Australian Silver Florin

Sterling Silver
The early coins of the series were all minted in London but in 1916 the Melbourne Mint took over the minting of the silver Florins, thus the first truly Australian silver coin was made. The dies were still sent out by the Royal Mint in London as the mints had not developed the skills required to make them.
The Melbourne coins can be identified by the mintmark M under the date on the reverse.

Mintage
2,752,000

The highest point on the obverse is the crown band where the centre diamond, pearls and rubies can be found. Wear starts at the centre diamond and spreads out from here consuming the pearls and rubies. This is why coin dealers often use the term 8 pearls or a lesser number to describe the condition of the obverse of George V coins with a crowned effigy. The lower the condition of a coin, the less the number of visible pearls.
When looking at the obverse of these coins a collector should look at:
  • the centre diamond of the crown band;
  • the end of the moustache:
  • the top of the ear;
  • nicks and dents around the rim;
  • scratches or other defects on the surface;
  • a weak strike shows in the rim denticles and crown pattern and in the collar just under the chin, also the orb on the crown flattens out with die wear.

Specifications
Composition: .925 silver
Silver Content: 0.3363 oz
Edge: Reeded
Weight: 11.31 grams
Size: 28.5 mm
Obverse: Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal
Reverse: W.H.J. Blakemore

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