Tuscany 1742 1/2 francescone
This specimen was lot 3743 in Sincona sale 39 (Zürich, May 2017), where it sold for 170 CHF (about US$204 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALY | Toscana, Francesco II di Lorena, 1737-1765 5 Paoli 1742. Florenz. Sehr schön. (grand duchy of Tuscany, Francis II of Lorraine, 1737-65, five paoli of 1742, Florence mint. Very fine.)"
This type was struck 1738-45 for Francis of Lorraine, husband of Maria Theresia of Austria, who was given Tuscany as compensation for being ousted from Lorraine by the French. This coin had a face value of five paoli. Francis was succeeded by Peter Leopold, the second son of Maria Theresia. Peter Leopold became emperor himself on the death of Joseph in 1790 but his reign lasted only until his death in 1792. In 1800, Tuscany was occupied by the French and not returned to Hapsburg rule until 1815.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.6 g, 0.917 fine silver, this specimen 13.53 g.
Catalog reference: MIR 355/5, KM C6.
- Gigante, Fabio, Gigante 2016: Catalogo Nazionale delle Monete Italiano Dal '700 All'Euro, 24a ed. Varese, Italy, 2015.
- Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Auction 39, World coins and medals, coins and medals from Switzerland, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2017.
Link to: