1849 Queen Victoria silver 'Godless' type A Florin or Two Sh...

Hammer

£2,400

1849 Queen Victoria silver 'Godless' type A Florin or Two Shillings graded MS 65 by NGC (S 3890). Obverse: left-facing crowned bust of Victoria by William Wyon with richly detailed robes, 'VICTORIA REGINA 1849' around. Reverse: crowned cruciform shields of royal arms with national flower emblems in the angles by William Wyon with '+ + ONE FLORIN' above and 'ONE TENTH OF A POUND' below. Edge: milled. Mintage: 413,800. Grade: MS 65. Offered sealed in an NGC holder (#2915842-016). These coins are known as 'Godless' Florins because the letters 'D. G.', standing for 'Dei Gratia' or 'by the Grace of God', were not included in the obverse legend. This was controversial at the time, and the design was quickly modified for issues dated 1851 onwards.