1 Florin - George V

The 1911 Australian Florin represents the debut of Australia's national coinage following the Coinage Act of 1909, which replaced the British currency then circulating in the Commonwealth. Struck at the Royal Mint in London, this inaugural issue was commissioned to establish a distinct fiscal identity for the young nation. The coin features the portrait of King George V, symbolizing the enduring link between Australia and the British Empire during the early twentieth century.

The design of the reverse, depicting the Australian Coat of Arms, was executed by William Henry James Blakemore, who adapted the heraldic emblem granted by King Edward VII in 1908. This iconography—featuring a kangaroo and an emu flanking a shield—was chosen to foster national pride and provide a visual representation of Australia's burgeoning sovereignty. Upon its release, the issue was received with significant public interest, serving as a tangible mark of the country's transition toward administrative independence.