1951 Australian Florin - Federation Florin - About Uncirculated #3
- Issued to celebrate 50 years since the Federation of Australia
- Struck by the historic Melbourne Mint
- Only two million struck - a modest mintage for a circulating coin
- Features a unique, one-year-only reverse design
This eye-catching pre-decimal release was issued to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Australia's Federation. Struck from silver, the unique - and controversial! - reverse motif and rich history have made it popular with collectors.
The 1951 Federation Florin features a striking reverse design by sculptor William Leslie Bowles. A crown rests atop a crossed mace and sword, intersecting within the centre of a Southern Cross. The design was selected by Treasury, but faced some controversy upon release.
Himself a Victorian, Bowles had used the version of the Southern Cross seen in the Victorian State Arms rather than the National Arms. Understandably, not everybody was happy about this - yet the coin was still popular. The modest mintage of two million was all but hoarded out of circulation.
I would grade this coin as About Uncirculated.
This coin will be supplied in a brand new 2x2 coin holder, please see images to make a personal grading, as this is the exact coin you will receive.