Double Florin

A denomination of four shillings struck only three times in our history. The first was issued in 1887, the Jubilee year of Queen Victoria, and continued on in general circulation until 1890. It is also known as `the barmaid's ruin'. When she had a few drinks she would often give change for a crown (5/-) instead of a double florin (4/-). This shortage would have to be made up out of her own wages. There were pattern issues in the reigns of George V, George VI and Elizabeth II. All these patterns are rare.