Tuscany 1788 ruspone Fr-334
This specimen was lot 2947 in Sincona Auction 101 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 2,000 CHF (about US$3,015 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIEN Florenz, Pietro Leopoldo di Lorena, 1765-1790. Ruspone 1788, Firenze. Sehr seltener Jahrgang. Vorzüglich. (Italy, grand duchy of Tuscany, Peter Leopold of Lorraine, 1765-90, ruspone of 1788, Florence mint. Very rare date, Extremely Fine.)"
This type was struck 1765-90, i.e., Pietro's entire reign. This coin had a face value of three ducats. Peter Leopold was the second son of Maria Theresia of Austria and emperor Joseph II's brother. He 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: 10.46 g, 0.999 fine gold, this specimen 10.44 g.
Catalog reference: KM C28 (unlisted date), MIR 370/21. Fr-334.
- 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.
- 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.
- [1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 101: World Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Swiss Confederate Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Shooting Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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