Florence (1260-79) fiorino
This specimen was lot 653 in Sincona sale 89 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 325 CHF (about US$430 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIEN Florenz, Repubblica, 1189-1532. Fiorino d'argento da 1 soldo o. J. (1260-1279), +FLORENTIA. Lilie. Rv. +IOHANNES.P. Brustbild des hl. Johannes von vorn. Gutes vorzüglich. Exemplar der Auktion Spink 35, Zürich, Oktober 1990, Los 365. (Italy, republic of Florence, 1189-1532, undated silver florin of one soldo, circa 1260-79. Obverse: lily; reverse: St. John the Baptist facing. Good extremely fine.)"
The gold florin, introduced around the same time as the Venetian ducat and the Genoese genovino, immediately became an important trade coin. Its high value made it inconvenient for small transactions and so the silver florin was introduced. Also called the grosso or popolino, it was originally one twentieth of the gold florin but was the victim of frequent debasements. This early issue is probably before the debasements started.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 0.958 fine silver, this specimen 1.79 g.
Catalog reference: CNI XII, 3, 6. MIR 40 var. Biaggi 783.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 89, The Garrulus Collection of Numismatic Rarities and Masterpieces, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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