Florin UK (Great Britain) Europe Coins: World Coins & Paper Money

The gold used to strike the coins was overvalued and the coins were unacceptable to merchants. They were withdrawn after only a few months in circulation, in August 1344. They were then melted down to produce the more popular gold Noble. This is unfortunate as few specimens survived of what is often regarded as one of the most beautiful medieval English coins ever produced.

 

The front of the coin depicts King Edward enthroned beneath a canopy, with two leopards' heads at the sides. The leopard is the heraldic "lion" on the English coat of arms. It is inscribed with the text is EDWR D GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC DNS HIB, which in modern English Is “Edward by the Grace of God King of England and France Lord of Ireland.” The back of shows the Royal cross and 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. One was sold at auction in July 2006 for a record price for a British coin, of £460,000.