Florin (English coin)
Encyclopedia
The Florin or Double Leopard was an attempt in 1344 by English
king Edward III
to produce a gold coin
age suitable for use in Europe as well as in England (see also Half Florin or Leopard
and Quarter Florin or Helm
). It was 108 grains (6.99829 grams) of nominal pure ('fine') gold and had a value of six shillings (i.e. 72d).
The [continental] florin, based on a French coin and ultimately on coins issued in Florence, Italy, in 1252, was a standard coin (3.5g fine gold) widely used internationally.
Unfortunately the coins were underweight for their value, resulting in them being unacceptable to merchants, and the coins were withdrawn after only a few months in circulation, in August 1344, to be melted down to produce the more popular gold Noble
(9g gold valued at 6/8 (i.e. 80d)).
The obverse of the coin shows the King enthroned beneath a canopy, with two leopards' heads at the sides (the leopard being the heraldic "lion" on the English coat of arms); the legend is EDWR D GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC DNS HIB (Edward by the Grace of God King of England and France Lord of Ireland).
The reverse of the coin shows the Royal cross within a quatrefoil, a leopard in each spandrel; the legend is IHC TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORUM IBAT (But Jesus passing through their midst went his way).
Only three examples of this coin are known to exist: two discovered on the River Tyne
in 1857, and one discovered in January 2006. The latter coin was sold at auction in July 2006 for a record price for a British coin, of £460,000. http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=953822006 The first two discovered are displayed in the British Museum
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
king Edward III
Edward III of England
Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
to produce a gold coin
Gold coin
A gold coin is a coin made mostly or entirely of gold. Gold has been used for coins practically since the invention of coinage, originally because of gold's intrinsic value...
age suitable for use in Europe as well as in England (see also Half Florin or Leopard
Half Florin
The Half Florin was an attempt by English king Edward III to produce a gold coinage suitable for use in Europe as well as in England . The half florin was largely based on contemporary European gold coins, with a value of three shillings...
and Quarter Florin or Helm
Quarter Florin
The Quarter Florin or Helm was an attempt by English King Edward III to produce a gold coinage suitable for use in Europe as well as in England . The quarter florin, based on contemporary European gold coins had a value of one shilling and sixpence...
). It was 108 grains (6.99829 grams) of nominal pure ('fine') gold and had a value of six shillings (i.e. 72d).
The [continental] florin, based on a French coin and ultimately on coins issued in Florence, Italy, in 1252, was a standard coin (3.5g fine gold) widely used internationally.
Unfortunately the coins were underweight for their value, resulting in them being unacceptable to merchants, and the coins were withdrawn after only a few months in circulation, in August 1344, to be melted down to produce the more popular gold Noble
Noble (English coin)
The Noble was the first English gold coin produced in quantity, having been preceded by the Gold penny and the Florin earlier in the reigns of King Henry III and King Edward III, which saw little circulation....
(9g gold valued at 6/8 (i.e. 80d)).
The obverse of the coin shows the King enthroned beneath a canopy, with two leopards' heads at the sides (the leopard being the heraldic "lion" on the English coat of arms); the legend is EDWR D GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC DNS HIB (Edward by the Grace of God King of England and France Lord of Ireland).
The reverse of the coin shows the Royal cross within a quatrefoil, a leopard in each spandrel; the legend is IHC TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORUM IBAT (But Jesus passing through their midst went his way).
Only three examples of this coin are known to exist: two discovered on the River Tyne
River Tyne
The River Tyne is a river in North East England in Great Britain. It is formed by the confluence of two rivers: the North Tyne and the South Tyne. These two rivers converge at Warden Rock near Hexham in Northumberland at a place dubbed 'The Meeting of the Waters'.The North Tyne rises on the...
in 1857, and one discovered in January 2006. The latter coin was sold at auction in July 2006 for a record price for a British coin, of £460,000. http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=953822006 The first two discovered are displayed in the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
.
External links
- Picture of double leopard and noble on www.ukcoinpics.co.uk