The 1934-35 Centenary Florin

Obverse

King George V - Percy Metcalf

Legend : GEORGIVS V D.G. BRITT : OMN : REX F : D : IND : IMP

Reverse

Horse with Rider Facing Left - George Kruger Gray

Legend: Centenary Victoria Melbourne 1934-35 Florin

Composition

92.5% Silver, 7.5% Copper

Mass

11.31 g

Size

28.5 mm (1 1/8")

Actual Silver Weight (ASW)

0.33639 tr.oz.

Mintage

54,000

The Australian Melbourne Centenary Florin was issued to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of Victoria (1834 - 1934) and the establishment of Melbourne (1835 - 1935). Originally 75,000 of these coins were struck but 21, 000 remained unsold and were returned to the Melbourne Mint for re-melting. These coins were sold for 3 shillings each to help with the costs of the centenary celebrations. Due to problems selling the coins at above face value a Victorian department store, Foy and Gibson handed out the Centenary Florins in Foy Bags. There was much criticism of the reverse design of the nude male figure at the time.

Being an attractive commemorative coin and handed out as souvenirs these coins are relatively easy to find in uncirculated grade. However, weakness of strike on the reverse in particular makes choice examples slightly more difficult to find and true gem coins a hard find indeed.