Wikipedia:Today's featured article/May 9, 2022

The double florin, or four-shilling piece, was produced by the Royal Mint between 1887 and 1890, and was one of the shortest-lived of all denominations of British coinage. Its obverse, designed by Joseph Boehm and engraved by Leonard Charles Wyon, depicts Queen Victoria, whilst the reverse (pictured), featuring national symbols of the United Kingdom, was designed by Wyon based on the coinage of Charles II. When issued in June 1887, the Jubilee coinage, of which the double florin was a part, provoked an outcry. The small royal crown Boehm had depicted on Victoria's head provoked widespread mockery. The double florin was criticised as it was similar in size to the crown, worth five shillings, which led to confusion. The issue was said to be particularly acute in public houses, where barmaids accepted it believing it to be a crown, giving it the nickname "Barmaid's Ruin". The coin was no longer minted after 1890, though it remained in circulation for many years, and is still legal tender for 20 pence (£0.20).