Florence (1338) florin Fr-275
This specimen was lot 789 in Jean Elsen sale 151 (Brussels, June 2022), where it sold for €750 (about US$937 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, FLORENCE, République (1189-1532), AV fiorino d'oro, 1338, 1er semestre. Monétaire Giovanni di Sefano di Soderino. 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 boucle avec une pointe. Coup dans le champ au revers. Très Beau. (Italy, republic of Florence, gold florin of 1338, first semester, moneyer Giovanni di Sefano di Soderino. Obverse: fleur-de-lys; reverse: St. John the Baptist facing, bearing a long cross. Very 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 3,51 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-275, Bernocchi 1462; M.I.R. 9/21.
- 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 (1336) florin Fr-275, Caroccio di Lapo Alberti
- Florence (1340) florin Fr-275, Lippo di Marino di Soldano
- Coins and currency dated 1338