Florence (1336) florin Fr-275
This specimen was lot 788 in Jean Elsen sale 151 (Brussels, June 2022), where it sold for €1,500 (about US$1,874 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, FLORENCE, République (1189-1532), AV fiorino d'oro, 1336, 1er semestre. Monétaire Caroccio di Lapo 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., une crécelle. Très Beau à Superbe. (Italy, republic of Florence, gold florin of 1336, first semester, moenyer Caroccio di Lapo Alberti. Obverse: fleur-de-lys; reverse: St. John the Baptist facing, bearing a long cross; above left, a rattle. 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 3,47 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-275, Bernocchi 1437; M.I.R. 9/17.
- 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 (1334) florin Fr-275, Duccio di Lapo Alberti
- Florence (1338) florin Fr-275, Giovanni di Sefano di Soderino
- Coins and currency dated 1336