An important addition will be made to the coins now in circulation by
the issue of the double florin, the design of which is shown in one of
our engravings. The reverse is composed of crowned shields, bearing the
arms of the United Kingdom arranged in the form of a cross between
scepters, a device which was first adopted for coins of Charles II. It
was designed by Thomas Simon, the greatest of all English engravers, and
it remains to be seen whether this handsome coin will be generally
popular. The reverse of the florin will for the future bear the same
design.
During the past year her majesty was pleased to signify her pleasure
that a portrait medallion, by Mr. J.E. Boehm, R.A., modeled from life,
should be substituted for the effigy which the coins have hitherto
borne. In the new effigy, her majesty appears crowned and veiled, with
the ribbon and star of the garter and the Victoria and Albert order. The
legend "Victoria Dei Gratia Britanniarum Regina, Fidei Defensor" is
variously arranged on the different coins, according to the exigencies
of the design.
The opportunity has at the same time been taken, with her majesty's
approval, for making certain alterations in the designs for the reverses
of some of the coins by abandoning those which did not appear to possess
sufficient artistic merit to warrant their retention. The reverse of the
sovereign will still bear the design of St. George and the Dragon, by
Pistrucci, first adopted for the sovereigns of George IV., and the
reverses of the half-sovereign and threepence remain unchanged, except
that the crown has been assimilated to that used for the new effigy. The
St. George and the Dragon design will be resumed for the five-pound
piece, the double sovereign, and the crown, this design having been
adopted for these pieces when originally struck. The half-crown will
bear the same reverse as that coin bore when first issued, a design of
considerable merit, by Merlin. During the last half century public taste
appears to have been satisfied, both in this country and abroad, with
some such insignificant design as a wreath surrounding words or figures
indicating the value of the coin; and the shilling and sixpence have,
during the present reign, been examples of this treatment. They will in
future, like the half-crown, bear the royal arms, crowned, and
surrounded by the garter.
The queen was further pleased to command that the fiftieth anniversary
of her majesty's accession should be commemorated by the issue of a
medal. The effigy for this medal, which is also from a medallion by Mr.
Boehm, has a somewhat more ornate veil than that on the coin; and on the
bust, in addition to the Victoria and Albert order, is shown the badge
of the imperial order of the crown of India. The reverse is a beautiful
work by Sir Frederic Leighton, President of the Royal Academy, of which
the following is a description: "In the center a figure representing the
British empire sits enthroned, resting one hand on the sword of justice,
and holding in the other the symbol of victorious rule. A lion is seen
on each side of the throne. At the feet of the seated figure lies
Mercury, the God of Commerce, the mainstay of our imperial strength,
holding up in one hand a cup heaped with gold. Opposite to him sits the
Genius of Electricity and Steam. Below, again, five shields, banded
together, bear the names of the five parts of the globe, Europe, Asia,
Africa, America, and Australasia, over which the empire extends. On each
side of the figure of Empire stand the personified elements of its
greatness--on the right (of the spectator), Industry and Agriculture; on
the left, Science, Letters, and Art. Above, the occasion of the
celebration commemorated is expressed by two winged figures representing
the year 1887 (the advancing figure) and the year 1837 (with averted
head), holding each a wreath. Where these wreaths interlock, the letters
V.R.I. appear, and, over all, the words 'In Commemoration.'"
The issue of both the new coins and the medal began on June 21, the day
appointed for the celebration of her majesty's jubilee.--_Illustrated
London News_.
[Illustration: THE NEW BRITISH COINAGE AND JUBILEE MEDAL.
1. Half Crown. 2 and 3. Double Florin, reverse and obverse. 4. Double
Sovereign. 5. Shilling. 6. Sixpence. 7 and 8. Jubilee Medal.]
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