Florence (1357) florin Fr-275
This specimen was lot 567 in Jean Elsen sale 161 (Brussels, March 2025), where it sold for €650 (about US$846 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, FLORENCE, République (1189-1532), AV fiorino d'oro, 1357, 1er semestre. Monétaire Niccolo di Gherardino di Gianni. 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 couronne. Trace de pliure. (Italy, republic of Florence, 1189-1532, gold florin of 1357, first semester, mintmaster Niccolo di Gherardino di Gianni. Obverse: fleur-de-lys; reverse: St. John the Baptist standing, bearing a long cross, above left, a coronet. Creased, about 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: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen is 3,44 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-275, Bernocchi 1669; M.I.R. 10/29.
- 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 161, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
Link to:
- Florence (1355) florin Fr-275, Iacopo di Banco di Puccio di Bencivenne
- Florence (1358) florin Fr-275, Cecco di Cione
- Coins and currency dated 1357