Tuscany 1738 unghero Fr-333
This specimen was lot 1365 in Sincona sale 90 (Zürich, May 2024), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIEN Florenz, Francesco II. di Lorena, 1737-1765. Unghero 1738, Firenze. Äusserst selten. Sehr schön-vorzüglich. Leicht gewellt. (Italy, Florence, Francis II of Lorraine, 1737-65, unghero of 1738, Florence mint. Extremely rare, Very fine-extremely fine, Slightly wavy flan.)"
This specimen was offered again as lot 1155 in Künker Auction 425 (Osnabrück, July 2025), where it sold for €6,000 (about US$8,496 including buyers' fees). By the early eighteenth century, Tuscany was a quiet backwater, no longer the proud republic of Florence, leader of the Renaissance. This very rare type was struck in 1738 and 1741. Francis III, originally duke of Lorraine, was given Tuscany as compensation after Lorraine went to Stanisław Leszczyński, ousted king of Poland and father-in-law of Louis XV of France. Francis is better known as the husband of Maria Theresia of Austria; we don't know if he ever visited Italy.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.49 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3.44 g.
Catalog reference: KM C9, MIR 352/1, Fr-333.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 90, Münzen und Medaillen der Welt, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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