Victoria silver Florin, 1849, "Godless" type

Obverse - Crowned Gothic type bust left, WW in field behind clear of linear circle, for engraver William Wyon, Latin legend with linear and beaded border surrounding both sides, date in legend, VICTORIA REGINA 1849

Reverse - Crowned cruciform shields, emblems in alternate angles, rose at centre, denomination legend, +ONE FLORIN+ in upper half, ONE TENTH OF A POUND in lower half

The Latin legend translates merely as "Victoria, Queen," and was seen as almost on the point of blasphemy to the Victorian mind as the traditional "Dei Gratia" for by the grace of God was not included. Public opinion won the day making this coin a one year only type with a new Gothic Florin issued from 1851 onwards.

On 1 March 1966 the Chancellor of the Exchequer, James Callaghan, announced that the centuries-old £sd system would be replaced by a decimal currency in which the pound was to be divided into 100 units.

But this change I had been in prospect since the middle years of the 19th century, when the decimal lobby had been strong enough to secure the introduction of this coin, with a value at one-tenth of a pound.

Approximately 11.31 grams of sterling silver with a diameter of 28 mm.