Australian Florins

1954 Australian Silver Florin

.500 Silver
1954 was the last florin to have the "god-less" legend on the obverse. The omission of the title, Defender of the Faith (F:D: , Fidei Defensor), which was first granted to Henry VIII in 1521 caused such an outcry that it was once again gracing Australian coins in 1955, although it took until 1956 for florins and 1954 for halfpence. But even more interestingly the 1954 Royal Visit commemorative florin had the altered legend making it the first coin to be issued with it.

Mintage
14,558,000

Collectors should consider acquiring most of the Queen Elizabeth II series in Gem coins, these are still affordable with the greatest possible upside. Coins Extra Fine and below are considered little more than bullion coins.

Points to consider when grading the reverse are:
  • the Emu's back feathers;
  • the shoulder and haunches of the kangaroo;
  • the orb on the crown;
  • the sharpness of details on the denticles, lettering, crown and shield;
  • the rim for dents and nicks;
  • A weak strike will show in the grass and the crown, wattle wreath and the detail of the shield.


Specifications
Composition: .500 silver
.400 copper
.050 zinc
.050 nickel
Silver Content: 0.1818 oz
Edge: Reeded
Weight: 11.31 grams
Size: 28.5 mm
Obverse: Mary Gillick
Reverse: George Kruger Gray

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