Tuscany 1767 francescone Dav-1511
This specimen was lot 52415 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), where it sold for $630. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Tuscany. 10 Paoli (Francescone), 1767. Florence Mint. Pietro Leopoldo. PCGS EF-45. The only example of the type in the PCGS census, this wholesome survivor displays only light, even handling across the high points, all while retaining tremendous character through some olive-amber and gunmetal gray toning abounding throughout." Francis of Lorraine, husband of Maria Theresia of Austria, was given Tuscany as compensation for being ousted from Lorraine by the French. 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. This coin had a face value of ten paoli and was issued 1767-68. It is much scarcer than the bust right type of 1766-71 (Dav-1510).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.5 g, 0.917 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Dav-1511; KM-C22.
- 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.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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