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Lot 874    Session 4 (4.30pm Tuesday)   

Estimate $600
Bid at live.noble.com.au

GREAT BRITAIN, Queen Victoria, unofficial pattern double florin, dated 11893, crowned and veiled old head left, by Donald R. Golder, proofs in 925 silver, copper and aluminium bronze. FDC. (120)

The double florin or four shillings is one of the shortest-lived coin denominations in the British series, minted in only four years, 1887-1890. The reverse design was based on the first featured by John Roettier (1631-1700) on the gold coins of Charles II and this continued to be used, in modified forms, on the Jubilee florins of Victoria and later on the 1911-1926 coinage of George V. Although the double florin was unpopular with the general public and no pieces were issued for general circulation after 1890, the denomination continued to intrigue the manufacturers of pattern coinage. On behalf of Reginald Huth the medallists John Pinches produced a private pattern double florin dated 1900 to commemorate the visit of Queen Victoria to Ireland. It is said the controversial Boehm portrait of Queen Victoria (engraved by Leonard Charles Wyon) acclerated the demise of the currency issue in 1890. With this in mind and inspired by the 1900 private issues of Huth, it was decided to pair the modern 'old head' portrait of Victoria created by Donald R. Golder with the 1887-1890 four shillings reverse design. The result shows how the double florin may have looked if it had survived to join the other denominations in Victoria's last coinage. Total mintage 975 sets.