Florence (1355) florin Fr-275
This specimen was lot 790 in Jean Elsen sale 151 (Brussels, June 2022), where it sold for €1,000 (about US$1,249 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, FLORENCE, République (1189-1532), AV fiorino d'oro, 1355, 2e semestre. Monétaire Iacopo di Banco di Puccio di Bencivenne. 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. Très Beau. (Italy, republic of Florence, gold florin of 1355, second semester, moneyer Iacopo di Banco di Puccio di Bencivenne. Obverse: fleur-de-lys; reverse: St. John the Baptist facing, bearing a long cross; above left, a gothic "M". 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 1665; M.I.R. 10/26.
- 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 (1347) florin Fr-275, Niero di Lippo
- Florence (1357) florin Fr-275, Niccolo di Gherardino di Gianni
- Coins and currency dated 1355