Cambrai (1347-48) florin d'or Fr-102
This specimen was lot 1285 in Jean Elsen sale 153 (Brussels, December 2022), where it sold for €600 (about US$759 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"CAMBRAI, Evêché, Gui de Ventadour (1342-1348), AV florin d'or anonyme, 1347-1348. D/ + ·FLOR'- P'SV .CA'· Grande fleur de lis. R/ ·S·IOHA-NNES· B Saint Jean-Baptiste deb. de f., ten. un sceptre cr. Rare. Légèrement bosselé. Très Beau. En mars 1347, Gui de Ventadour donna commission à Jean Bougier d'Arras de frapper des mailles d'or au type florentin, avec la légende Presul sur la face de la fleur de lis, à 23 carats 2/3 de fin et taillés à 72 1/2 au marc. Le texte est suivi d'un appendice qui précise que l'évêque chargea ensuite Jean Bougier de frapper des florins de Florence, à 23 carats 1/3 de fin, lesquels sont sans doute les exemplaires avec la légende EPI' CA. (bishopric of Cambrai, Gui de Ventadour, 1342-48, gold florin, circa 1347-48. Obverse: large fleur-de-lys; reverse: St. John the Baptist standing, bearing a scepter. Rare slightly wavy, Very Fine. In March 1347, Gui de Ventadour commissioned Jean Bougier d'Arras to strike gold links of the Florentine type, with the legend Presul on the face of the fleur-de-lis, at 23⅔ carats fine and weighing 72½ to the mark. The text is followed by an appendix which specifies that the bishop then instructed Jean Bougier to strike florins from Florence, at 23 1/3 carats fine, which are undoubtedly the specimens with the legend EPI' CA.)"
The bishop of Cambrai was made a prince of the empire in 1007. The diocese lost considerable territory during the Counterreformation but was made an archbishopric in compensation. The state was annexed to France in 1677-78. The first gold coin was struck around 1347, the last in 1578. This type is rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.25 g, 0.917 fine gold, this specimen 3,35 g.
Catalog reference: Robert 106, 1; B. 2019 var.; Delm-271; Fr-102.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 153, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2022.
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