Queen Victoria 'Godless' Florin

In the history of numismatics, few coins have sparked as much intrigue and controversy as the 1849 "Godless Florin."

Introduced as part of an ambitious attempt to modernise British currency, this coin unintentionally became the epicentre of public and political outcry.

The Florin was a bold step towards this goal, bearing Wyon's gothic portrait of Victoria and the Royal Arms on the reverse. Its craftsmanship was undeniable—but it was what the coin lacked that stirred an uproar.

In a rejection of tradition, the florin’s inscription omitted the phrase “Dei Gratia” (By the Grace of God), which had adorned British coins for centuries. Instead, it simply read “Victoria Regina 1849”.

This seemingly minor omission did not go unnoticed.

Within two years, The Royal Mint restored “Dei Gratia” to the inscription of subsequent florins, putting an end to the controversy. 

Out of the few that still exist today, just a handful are available.

Don't miss out on securing this fascinating coin that remains a prized artefact among collectors and historians. 

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