Spot On: The Real Value of Florins

Among the many coins that stir interest from collectors across the globe, few Australian pieces carry as much historical and visual appeal as the 1927 and 1945 florins.

First up: a commemorative beauty. This 1927 florin was issued to mark the opening of Parliament House in Canberra, and it shows. Ornate scrollwork, twin sceptres, and an engraving of the building itself make it one of the most striking Commonwealth coins of its era. Two million were released into circulation, so most examples today are affordable and hover just above the silver spot price, unless they’re in pristine mint state. Only 400 proof versions were produced, and these command serious respect and around £4,000 at auction.

The second coin, dated 1945, shows King George VI on the obverse and the classic Australian arms reverse, complete with kangaroo, emu, and coat of arms. Minted in Melbourne, it’s a war-era issue still found in relatively good condition due to limited circulation. All Australian florins were struck in Melbourne except one rare outlier in 1854, minted in San Francisco for colonial trade.

It’s worth noting that many in the precious metals trade have moved away from calling these items “scrap” when discussing their melt value. The preferred term today is “spot”, acknowledging that while the metal forms the basis of value, the historical and collector interest often outweighs any thought of melting them down.