It is thought that the coin, designed by William Wyon (1795-1851), was produced in relatively small numbers (around 8000) to gauge the reaction of the British public to what was an innovative design. In the event, they proved immensely popular and a florin followed in the Great Exhibition year of 1851 and was minted for another 36 years.
Estimated at £18,000-22,000, it took £45,000 at Baldwin’s on October 6.