Siena (1340-1450) florin Fr-1154
This specimen was lot 31890 in Heritage sale 3076 (Long Beach, CA, September 2019), where it sold for $3,840. The catalog description[1] noted, "Italy. Siena. Republic gold Florin ND (1340-1450) AU58 NGC. + SENA VETVS CIVITAS VIRGINIS, large floral S / • ALFA • ЄT • O PRINCIPIVM • FINIS •, foliate cross; above, merchant's mark of Paolo di Gabriello. A boldly struck example with an orange-gold patina and light underlying luster in the fields. A handsome piece not often encountered in such an attractive state. From the Allen Moretti Swiss Collection." The Republic of Siena, in Tuscany south of the better known city of Florence, survived as an independent city state until her conquest by the grand duke of Tuscany in the mid-1500's, at which time the coinage ended. This florin, introduced about a century after Florence introduced her first florin, was struck unchanged for over a century. The gold coinage of the town is scanty, covering about fifteen types in Friedberg.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3.52 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-1154, MIR-523.
- 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3076, featuring the Allen Moretti Swiss Collection and the James Mossman Collection of Canadian Coinage, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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