RARE CHANGE / COINS / PLATE 17 · 2/- · 1934-1935 · MELBOURNE
1934-35 Melbourne Centenary florin, and what it's worth
The Australian commemorative florin dated 1934-35, struck at the Melbourne Mint for the centenary of Victoria and Melbourne, with a horseman holding a torch on the reverse.
A genuine one, barely worn
$360
Middle half of sales $320 to $400. Lowest $210, highest $800.
Hammer prices (before buyer's fees) from 251 single-item sales at Noble Numismatics and Downies, 2016 to 2026. Updated 30 Oct 2026.
Prices by condition
AUDWorn coins sell for less. Find the row that looks most like yours.
Heavily wornGood to Very Good · 3 sales
Too few sales for a fair price
WornFine · 19 sales
$260
Lightly wornVery Fine · 62 sales
$300
Barely wornExtremely Fine · 139 sales
$360
Never usedUncirculated · 28 sales
$655
Line: lowest to highest sale. Box: the middle half of sales. Dot: the median, half sold for more and half for less.
Recent sales
HammerHow to check yours
Each letter on the drawing marks where to look. A magnifying glass or your phone's zoom helps.
-
Check A: Does the reverse show a horseman with a torch and the dates 1934-35?
The whole reverse- YES
- A rider on a horse holding up a torch, with CENTENARY and 1934-35 in the legend.
- NO
- A shield between a kangaroo and an emu, with ONE FLORIN - TWO SHILLINGS around the top.
-
Check B: Are the wreath on the rider's head, the chest and the fingers of the raised hand all fully defined?
The rider's head, chest and raised hand on the reverse- YES
- A clear wreath on the head, a defined chest and separate fingers on the hand.
- NO
- The head, chest and hand look flat or blurred.
-
Check C: Does the obverse legend read GEORGE V KING EMPEROR in English?
The legend around the obverse portrait- YES
- The words GEORGE V KING EMPEROR run around the portrait.
- NO
- A Latin legend beginning GEORGIVS V runs around the portrait.
The free photo checker is on its way.
Record
- Face value
- 2/-
- Issued
- 1934 to 1935
- Mint
- Melbourne
- 75,000 were struck, and about 21,000 that had not sold were later melted. [1][2]
- The coins were sold for more than face value, with the extra going toward the cost of the centenary celebrations. [1][2][3]
- Struck at the Melbourne Mint. [1][2]
- The George V portrait is by Percy Metcalfe and the horseman reverse is by George Kruger Gray. [4][2]
Questions
How much is a 1934-35 Melbourne Centenary florin worth?
A genuine 1934-35 Melbourne Centenary florin in barely worn condition (Extremely Fine) has typically sold for $360 at Australian auctions, with the middle half of sales between $320 and $400. Better-preserved examples sell for more.
How do I know if my 1934-35 Melbourne Centenary florin is genuine?
Work through the checks above. They cover what genuine examples show and what altered or different versions don't. A photo can't prove a coin or note is genuine, so for a valuable find, ask a professional numismatist or a grading service before you sell.
Should I clean it?
No. Cleaning leaves fine scratches that collectors spot at once, and cleaned coins and notes sell for much less. Keep it as it is, in a paper envelope or a coin holder.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from at least two independent sources. Prices come from our own record of auction results.
- Specimen Coin - Florin (2 Shillings), Centenary of Victoria & Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1934-1935, read 29 Oct 2026
- Australia 1934-35 Florin (Melbourne Centenary), read 29 Oct 2026
- The Melbourne Centenary Florin - Australia's Third Commemorative Coin, read 29 Oct 2026
- Florin (Australian coin), read 29 Oct 2026