1883 VICTORIA GOTHIC FLORIN (Copy)

1883 Great Britain Florin – Victoria Gothic Type

KM# 746.4 Spink 3900 ESC 847 Bull 2860

This 1883 Gothic Florin is a beautifully engraved silver coin from the reign of Queen Victoria, struck at the Royal Mint in London. It features the Gothic crowned bust of Victoria, facing left, designed by William Wyon RA. The Queen wears the Crown of St Edward and a richly detailed dress adorned with the national floral emblems — rose, thistle, and shamrock — representing England, Scotland, and Ireland. Her hair is braided and looped around the ear in classical style.

The obverse legend is rendered in ornate Gothic script, reading “VICTORIA D:G: BRITT: REG: F:D:”, followed by the date in Roman numerals: MDCCCLXXXIII. This distinctive lettering gives the coin its name and sets it apart from other Victorian issues. The reverse, engraved by William Dyce, displays four crowned shields in cruciform, representing the constituent nations of the United Kingdom, with floral emblems in the angles. The legend reads “ONE FLORIN ONE TENTH OF A POUND”, reflecting the denomination’s role in early decimalisation efforts.

• Metal: Sterling Silver (.925 fine)
• Weight: 11.31 grams
• Diameter: 30 mm
• Edge: Milled
• Mint: Royal Mint, London
• Mintage: Approximately 3,555,667
• Condition: Fine overall with even wear and clear detail
• Price: £40

The Gothic Florin was introduced in 1851 as a replacement for the unpopular “Godless Florin” and remained in production until 1887. The 1883 issue belongs to the later type (Type B8), noted for its younger portrait, border of 34 arcs, and absence of die numbers or initials below the bust. These coins were struck to high standards and circulated widely, yet examples in collectable condition remain popular among numismatists for their artistic merit, historical significance, and early decimal denomination.

This coin offers a tangible link to Victorian Britain’s evolving currency system and is a fine addition to any collection of 19th-century British silver.

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1883 florin, Victoria Gothic florin, KM 746, Spink 3900, ESC 847, Bull 2860, silver florin, British coin, numismatics, Gothic script, William Wyon, William Dyce, Royal Mint, Victorian coin, collectible coin, historical coin, UK florin, sterling silver coin, coin dealer UK, 19th century coin, decimalisation coin

I can also prepare listings for earlier Gothic Florins or compare the 1883 issue with the Jubilee Florin of 1887.