The florin coin (more commonly known as the two-shilling coin) was a pre-decimal coin and worth ¹/₁₀ of an Irish pound. The coin featured the salmon and the original minting of the coin from 1928 until 1943 contained 75% silver, a higher content than the equivalent British coin. It is believed that this was done so that the new currency would not be seen as a poor substitute to the British currency which circulated alongside. The silver coins are quite noticeable as they have a more “whitish” look than the later cupronickel variety that were minted from 1951, also the silver coins wear less well. The cupronickel variety of coin consisted of 75% copper and 25% nickel.

The coin, designed by Percy Metcalf, had a diameter of 1.125 inches (28.6 mm) and weight of 11.3 grams. The last florins were produced in 1968. When the currency was decimalised this coin continued to circulate alongside its replacement ten pence, and the florin was finally withdrawn from June 1 1994 as a smaller ten pence coin was introduced.

Like all Irish coins, the florin may be redeemed for euros at Ireland’s Central Bank.

External links

• Irish Coinage website - catalogue - florin.

• Coinage (Calling In) Order, 1993