The Florin or Double Leopard was an attempt by English king Edward III to produce a gold coinage suitable for use in Europe as well as in England (see also Half Florin or Leopard and Quarter Florin or Helm). The florin, based on a French coin and ultimately on coins issued in Florence, Italy, in 1252, was a standard coin widely used internationally, with a value of six shillings. Unfortunately the gold used to strike the coins was overvalued, resulting in the coins being unacceptable to merchants, and the coins were withdrawn after only a few months in circulation, in August 1344, to be melted down to produce the more popular gold Noble. This is unfortunate as few specimens survived of what is often regarded as one of the most beautiful medieval English coins ever produced. Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location (dark green) within the British Isles Languages English (de facto) Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked 1st... Edward III (13 November 1312 – 21 June 1377) was one of the most successful English kings of medieval times. ... Gold coins are one of the oldest forms of money. ... The Half Florin or Leopard was an attempt by English king Edward III to produce a gold coinage suitable for use in Europe as well as in England (see also Florin or Double Leopard and Quarter Florin or Helm). ... The Quarter Florin or Helm was an attempt by English king Edward III to produce a gold coinage suitable for use in Europe as well as in England (see also Florin or Double Leopard and Half Florin or Leopard). ... Florence (Italian, Firenze) is a city in the center of Tuscany, in central Italy, on the Arno River, with a population of around 400,000, plus a suburban population in excess of 200,000. ... For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century. ... Events English king Edward III introduces three new gold coins, the florin. ... The Noble was the first English gold coin produced in quantity, having been preceded by the Twenty pence coin and the Florin earlier in the reigns of King Henry III and King Edward III, which saw little circulation. ...

The obverse of the coin shows the King enthroned beneath a canopy, with two leopards' heads at the sides (the leopard being the heraldic "lion" on the English coat of arms); the legend is EDWR D GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC DNS HIB (Edward by the Grace of God King of England and France Lord of Ireland). The reverse of the coin shows the Royal cross within a quatrefoil, a leopard in each spandrel; the legend is IHC TRANSIENS PER MEDIUM ILLORUM IBAT (But Jesus passing through their midst went His way).

For the nineteenth and twentieth century Florin, see British coin Florin. For other denominations, see British coinage. The nineteenth and twentieth century Florin or Two Shillings coin should not be confused with the medieval gold Florin, which was worth six shillings. ... This article concerns British coinage, the coinage of the United Kingdom. ...

See also: bezants. Bezants is a medieval name for gold coins. ...