Quarter florin facts for kids

The quarter florin was a special gold coin made in England a long time ago. It was also called the helm. King Edward III wanted to create a gold coin that could be used easily across Europe, not just in England. This coin was worth about one shilling and sixpence.

However, there was a problem. The amount of gold in the coins was worth more than their face value. This meant people didn't want to use them. So, the coins were taken out of circulation after only seven months. By August 1344, they were officially stopped from being used. These quarter florin coins were then melted down. The gold was used to make a new, more popular coin called the gold Noble.

What Did the Quarter Florin Look Like?

The quarter florin had designs on both sides. These designs helped people know it was a royal coin.

The Front Side (Obverse)

The front of the coin showed a royal helmet. On top of the helmet was a lion and a cap. Around the edge, there was a special message in Latin: EDWR R ANGL Z FRANC D HIB. This meant "Edward King of England and France Lord of Ireland." It showed who the king was and what lands he ruled.

The Back Side (Reverse)

The back of the coin had a design of a fancy cross. This cross had a four-leaf shape, called a quatrefoil, in its center. The words on the back were EXALTABITUR IN GLORIA. This is a Latin phrase from Psalm 112:9 in the Bible, meaning "He shall be exalted in glory."

A Rare Find: The Colyton Discovery

These coins are very rare today because they were only used for a short time. In 2015, a quarter florin coin was found in Colyton, a town in Devon, England. This discovery was very exciting for historians and coin collectors. The coin was later sold for £50,000, showing how valuable these historical items are.