Austria 1880 2 florins Dav-32
This specimen was lot 29330 in Heritage sale 3042 (Long Beach, September 2015), where it sold for $2,585. The catalog description[1] noted, "Franz Joseph I 2 Florin 1880 MS65 PCGS. Struck to commemorate the First Federal Shooting Festival with lightly-patinated surfaces accented by iridescent hues of turquoise and amber residing within the reverse motifs. Intricately-designed and with undeniable eye-appeal, endlessly collectible at this Gem level of preservation." Davenports lists this item as a coin but the SCWC relegates it to their "Unusual World Coins" volume. Earlier two florin pieces were struck 1859-72. Two florins nominally equalled a thaler but the old thalers (1751-1852) were 28.06 g, 0.833 fine while later thalers (1857-68) were 18.51 g, 0.900 fine silver. In 1892, the currency was reformed again so that 100 heller = 1 corona. The system collapsed with the regime in the throes of World War One.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 24.69 g, 0.900 fine silver, .714 troy oz AGW, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: Herinek 55, KM-XM6, Dav-32.
- Herinek, Gerhard, Austria Münzkatalog: Munzen ab 1745 und Banknoten ab 1759, 49. Auflage, Vienna: Christine Steyrer Verlag, 2022.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Unusual World Coins, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World Coin Auction 3042, featuring the Read and Bob Bennett Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2015.
- Veselý, Roman, Mince a medaile, 19. století, František II ab Karel I, Prague: Aurea Numismatika, 2020.
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