Brewer's: Godless Florin

(The). Also called “The Graceless Florin.” In 1849 were issued florins in Great Britain, with no legend except “Victoria Regina.” Both F.D. (Defender of the Faith) and D.G. (by God's Grace) were omitted for want of room. From the omission of “Fidei Defensor” they were called Godless florins, and from the omission of “Dei Gratia” they were called Graceless florins.

These florins (2s.) were issued by Sheil, Master of the Mint, and as he was a Catholic, so great an outcry was made against them that they were called in the same year.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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