1 Florin - Edward VII (Pattern)

The 1909 Australian pattern florin was produced at the Royal Mint in London during a transitional period for Australian coinage. Following the passage of the Coinage Act of 1909, the Australian government sought to establish a distinct national currency separate from the British system. This specific pattern served as a trial piece to evaluate potential designs before the official commencement of Australian silver coinage production in 1910.

The design features the portrait of King Edward VII, as Australian currency at the time remained firmly under the authority of the British Crown. The obverse depicts the King’s effigy, while the reverse displays the Australian coat of arms, a design choice intended to project colonial identity within the Commonwealth. As a pattern rather than a circulation issue, these pieces were minted in limited quantities for official assessment, making them highly significant historical artifacts that document the birth of Australia’s sovereign monetary identity.