Material: .500 Silver (50% Ag, 50% Cu) — First year of debasement from sterling silver
Diameter: 28.5 mm
Weight: 11.31 g
Actual Silver Weight (ASW): 0.1818 troy oz
Mint / Mintmark: London (no mintmark)
Obverse: This numismatic specimen is an authentic British florin, or two-shilling piece, featuring the left-facing uncrowned profile of King George V on the obverse. Sculpted by the prominent Australian artist and medalist Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal, the detailed portrait is framed by a raised, beaded outer border. Encircled along the rim is the complete Latin imperial title inscription, "GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP.", which translates to "George V, by the Grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India". The planchet displays a naturally aged, uncleaned surfaces with a soft silver-grey patina and honest circulation wear across the high points of the King's beard and hair.
Reverse: Crowned cruciform shields with sceptres in the angles, central rose within sunburst; legend ONE FLORIN 1920; design by George Kruger Gray.
Circa: Early Interwar British Coinage — Silver Content Reduction
Condition: Fine (moderate wear on portrait and shields, even tone, all legends legible)
Notes:
The year 1920 marks one of the most critical turning points in British numismatic history due to the soaring cost of silver bullion following the conclusion of the First World War. To prevent citizens from melting down currency for melt value, the British government passed the Coinage Act of 1920, which slashed the silver purity of all silver coins from sterling silver (92.5%) down to debased silver (50.0%).