Australian 2 oz. Silver Florin


IRA Approved

Australia’s Perth Mint has issued a modern version of the timeless silver coin of the British Empire, the florin. During the Pax Britannica, silver florins changed hands on six continents, from Canada to Calcutta. Australia began minting its own florins in 1910, stopping only in 1963 when the traditional English monetary system was updated. The newer, streamlined denominations eliminated the need for the florin.

After updating the coin for the 21st century, Perth Mint is releasing its Australian 2 oz. Silver Florin for distribution solely through Birch Gold Group.

Meet the Australian 2 oz. Silver Florin

This fixed-mintage coin’s obverse features Jody Clark’s instantly-recognizable “fifth portrait” of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. A small effigy of King Edward VIII (Australians called him the “soldier prince”) appears as well, honoring his courage on the battlefields of World War I. Weight, purity, denomination and year of minting also appear on the obverse.

The reverse of the florin showcases the 1908 first Australian Commonwealth coat of arms. If you’re accustomed to traditional European heraldic symbols, you’re in for a bit of a surprise. A kangaroo and emu support a shield bearing the Cross of St. George with five six-pointed stars (one for each Australian state). Above the shield is the seven-point star of Federation, and below a banner with the motto, “Advance Australia.” The reverse is marked “1910,” in honor of the first year Australia minted florins. Indeed, the entire reverse of the Silver Florin pays homage to the florin’s century-old original design.

First issued in 1344 by Edward III, the florin is a piece of history connecting Medieval England to modern-day Australia, knights in shining armor to the riflemen who landed at Gallipoli. This remarkable coin is a piece of history you can hold in your hand. This is a chance for Birch Gold Group customers to own a piece of the British Empire you can’t get anywhere else. 

The Australian 2 oz. Silver Florin is available to Birch Gold Group customers only. Choose between home delivery or placement within a Precious Metals IRA.


Please note, Birch Gold’s selection of products rotates over time. To learn more about Australian silver florins, their availability and current pricing, please call us at (800) 355-2116.

Details

A closer look at the Australian silver florin

Specifications

  • Distributed solely by Birch Gold Group
  • Designer: Obverse, Jody Clark; Reverse, original designer William Henry James Blakemore
  • Composition: 2 troy oz. 0.9999 fine (99.99% pure) silver
  • Dimensions: 40.9 mm diameter, 6.02 mm thickness
  • Australian legal tender, AU$2 face value

A note about “Advance Australia”

“Advance Australia” refers to the national anthem of the nation, Advance Australia Fair. The original 1879 lyrics included interesting lines describing the relationship between Australia and England:

When gallant Cook from Albion sail’d,
To trace wide oceans o’er,
True British courage bore him on,
Til he landed on our shore.

Then here he raised Old England’s flag,
The standard of the brave;
“With all her faults we love her still”
“Britannia rules the wave.”

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance, Australia fair.

While other nations of the globe
Behold us from afar,
We’ll rise to high renown and shine
Like our glorious southern star;

From England soil and Fatherland,
Scotia and Erin fair,
Let all combine with heart and hand
To advance Australia fair.

Cook refers to Captain James Cook, the British explorer who discovered Australia (and New Zealand, and Hawaii) and claimed them for Great Britain.

Albion is the ancient name for England, first used around 600 BCE.

Britannia is a symbol of the nation. The phrase, “Britannia rules the wave” dates from the age of sail, when the oceans were indeed policed by the enormous British fleet. Isn’t it amazing all the things you can learn about a nation from a single coin?