Tuscany 1789 francescone Dav-1518
This specimen was lot 42379 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2026), where it sold for $1,680. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Tuscany. Francescone (10 Paoli), 1789. Florence Mint. Pietro Leopoldo. PCGS MS-62. Tied with just one other specimen as the only examples seen at PCGS, this nearly-Choice crown offers gunmetal gray toning with alluring golden-olive tinges accentuating the devices." This type was struck 1786-90 and is not rare in worn condition. The francescone replaced the earlier tollero in 1747 and was so named to honor Francis of Lorraine, Holy Roman Emperor and husband of Maria Theresia.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.5 g, 0.917 fine silver, 42 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Dav-1518; KM-C24.5.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2026 NYINC Showcase Auction, Ancient and World Coins, featuring the Kazmier Wysocki Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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