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The double florin 1890

£45.00

“Barmaid’s Ruin” or “Barmaid’s Grief”.
The double florin, or four-shilling piece, was a British coin produced by the Royal Mint between 1887 and 1890. One of the shortest-lived of all British coin denominations, it was struck in only four years.

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“Barmaid’s Ruin” or “Barmaid’s Grief”.
The double florin, or four-shilling piece, was a British coin produced by the Royal Mint between 1887 and 1890. One of the shortest-lived of all British coin denominations, it was struck in only four years. When issued in June 1887, the Jubilee coinage provoked an outcry. The small royal crown Boehm had placed on Victoria’s head caused widespread mockery. The double florin in particular was criticised as it was close in size to the five-shilling crown, leading to confusion, especially since neither coin was inscribed with its denomination. The confusion was said to be particularly acute in public houses, where barmaids accepted it believing it to be a crown, giving it the nickname of “Barmaid’s Ruin” or “Barmaid’s Grief”. The coin was abolished after 1890, though it remained in circulation. Upon full decimalisation in 1971, the double florin was not demonetised, and remains legal tender for 20p (£0.20).
A great piece of British history .
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