FLORIN, the name of several coins of the continent of Europe and of two coins struck in England at different times. The word comes through the Fr. florin from the Ital. fiorino, flower, Lat. flos, florem. Fiorino was the Italian name of a gold coin issued at Florence in 1252, weighing about 54 grains. This coin bore on the obverse a lily, from which it took its name of "the flower," on the reverse the. Latin name of the city Florentia, from which it was also known as a "florence." "Florin" and "florence" seem to have been used in English indiscriminately as the name of this coin. The Florentine florin was held in great commercial repute throughout Europe, and similar coins were struck in Germany, other parts of Italy, France, etc.
The English gold florin was introduced by Edward III. in half and quarter florins being struck at the same time. This gold florin weighed 108 grains and was to be current for six shillings. It was found, however, to be over-valued in proportion to the silver currency and was demonetized the following year. The florin did not appear in the English coinage until 1849, when silver coins with this name, having a nominal value of two shillings (one tenth of a pound) were struck. In 1887 a double florin or four shilling piece was issued, but its coinage was discontinued in 189o.
(See also NUMISMATICS.)