Half florin facts for kids

Specimen from the British Museum, which was folded in half when it was discovered in 2019.

The florin was a special gold coin made a long time ago in England. It was also called a leopard coin. King Edward III wanted to create a gold coin that could be used not just in England, but all across Europe!

The Florin: England's Short-Lived Gold Coin

King Edward's Big Idea

King Edward III ruled England many centuries ago. He had a clever idea to make a new gold coin. He wanted this coin to be accepted everywhere, like a universal currency for trade. The florin was designed to be worth three shillings. It was similar to other gold coins used in Europe at that time.

What the Florin Looked Like

The florin coin had two sides, just like coins today.

The Front (Obverse)

On the front of the coin, you could see a leopard. This leopard wore a special cloak that showed the royal arms, which were like the king's symbol. Around the edge, there was writing in Latin. It said, "Edward, by the Grace of God King of England and France, Lord of Ireland."

The Back (Reverse)

The back of the coin showed a royal cross. This cross was inside a shape called a quatrefoil, which looks like a four-leaf clover. In each of the four sections, there was another leopard. The writing on this side was also in Latin. It meant, "O Lord, rebuke me not in Thy anger." This line came from an old religious text called Psalm 6.

Why the Florin Didn't Last

The florin coin was only used for a few months! It was made in 1344. The problem was that the gold used to make the coins was valued too highly. This meant people didn't think the coin was worth what the king said it was. Because of this, people didn't want to use them. In August 1344, the coins were taken out of circulation. They were melted down to make a different, more popular coin called the noble.

A Rare Treasure Today

Because the florin was used for such a short time, very few of these coins still exist today. Many people think it is one of the most beautiful English coins from the Middle Ages. Only five examples are known to have survived. In 2019, experts found one of these rare coins in Reepham, England. This same coin was later sold at an auction in March 2022 for £140,000!