florin an English gold coin of the 14th century, worth six shillings and eight old pence; a former British coin and monetary unit worth two shillings.

The word comes via Old French from Italian fiorino, diminutive of fiore ‘flower’, from Latin flos, flor-. The word originally denoted a gold coin issued in Florence, bearing a fleur-de-lis (the city's emblem) on the reverse.

florin gold coin first issued at Florence in 1252 XIV; two-shilling piece XIX. — (O)Fr. — It. fiorino, f. fiore FLOWER; the coin orig. so named bore the figure of a lily on the obverse.