Florin Coins of England

In 1966, a decision was made in Great Britain to adopt a decimal system of money and this system went into effect on 15 February 1971. There was, however, an earlier attempt at going to a decimal system back in 1849 during the reign of Victoria with the introduction of a coin bearing the name florin. The florin of 1849 was worth two shillings or one-tenth of a pound. Victoria's coin was not the first to bear this name, however. The first florin was the Italian one struck in gold in 1253 in Florence from which the name is derived.
1849 Godless FlorinPlace Mouse on Imageto View Reverse The Italian coin was very popular and quickly imitated in Europe. In 1344, Edward III of England issued his own gold coin valued at six shillings and having a weight of 108 grains. This coin was also called a florin and also a double leopard from the two leopard heads that are on either side of the seated figure of the king on the obverse. It was also struck in a half which was also known as a leopard from the leopard with banner on the obverse. Finally, there was struck also a quarter, also called a helm after the helmet on the obverse. With the exception of a very rare (and unpopular) penny (worth 20 silver pennies) struck in 1257 under Henry III, the coins of Edward III were the first gold ones struck in England in about 350 years