Florence (1331) florin Fr-275
This specimen was lot 786 in Jean Elsen sale 151 (Brussels, June 2022), where it sold for €850 (about US$1,062 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, FLORENCE, République (1189-1532), AV fiorino d'oro, 1331, 1er semestre. Monétaire Iacopo di Alberto Alberti. D/ + FLOR-ENTIA Fleur de lis. R/ ·S·IOHA-NNES·B Saint Jean-Baptiste deb. de f., ten. une croix longue. En haut à g., deux palmes (?) croisées. Très Beau à Superbe. (Italy, republic of Florence, gold florin of 1331, first semester, moneyer Iacopo di Alberto Alberti. Obverse: fleur-de-lys; reverse: St. John the Baptist facing, bearing a long cross, two palms above left. Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
The gold florin was intended to compete with the Venetian ducat but is today much scarcer. Later, the florin dropped in weight and purity and became the goldgulden.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.50 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen is 3,50 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-275, Bernocchi 1381; M.I.R. 8/11.
- 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 151: Collection Paul Witte, Monnaies de Brabant, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2022.
Link to:
- Florence (1316) florin Fr-275, Lapo di Iacopo del Giudice
- Florence (1332) florin Fr-275, Vanni di Bandino
- Florence (1332)-A florin Fr-275, Rosso di Aldobrandino
- Coins and currency dated 1331