2018-05-29 Tue

Florin or double leopard, this gold coin was issued during the reign of King Edward III of England. It belongs to the third coinage of King Edwards III from 1344 to 1351 AD. Their only three specimens of this gold coin have survived for centuries. It is one of the most valuable coins of the English monetary history.

King Edward III was an enormously admired and feared knight. The large part of his reign took place during the Hundred Years War with France. Edward III established the Order of the Garter, inspired by the round table of King Arthur. In the same year of Order's birth, the above-shown coin was minted. This double leopard of Edward III is the earliest known gold coin minted in England.

This gold coinage of Edward circulated only from January to August 1344, due to fluctuating value of silver versus gold and melting of gold metal formed the shortage of these coins. All the coins of this value were melted in the 14th century and were replaced by the noble.

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