Tuscany 1806 francescone Dav-155
This specimen was lot 1428 in Sincona sale 6 (Zürich, May 2012), where it sold for 350 CHF (about US$529 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIEN Firenze Carlo Luigi und Maria Luigia, 1803-1807. Francescone 1807. Fast vorzüglich. (Italy, Florence, Charles Louis and Maria Luisa, 1803-07, francescone (ten paoli) of 1807. Choice extremely fine.)"
The Grand Duchy of Tuscany, founded by the Medici in the early 1500's, collapsed in 1799 with the arrival of Napoleon's army. The region went thru many vicissitudes until it was annexed outright by Napoleon in 1807, only to be returned to the Hapsburgs in 1814. It was incorporated into the new kingdom of Italy in 1860. This type was struck 1803 and 1806-07 for Charles Louis, king of Etruria, and his mother, the regent Maria Luisa of Spain. A variety exists with the king's name spelled "CAROLUS" instead of "CAROLVS" (shown here). Charles Louis was a grandson of Charles IV of Spain. He was king of Etruria (one of Napoleon's puppet states) 1803-07, duke of Lucca 1824-47 and duke of Parma 1847-49, after which he lived in exile as a private citizen, dying in 1883.
Recorded mintage: unknown but fairly common.
Specification: 27.50 g, 0.917 fine silver; this specimen is 27,17 g.
Catalog reference: Pag. 31, Dav-155, KM C50.1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- 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]Numismatic Coins, Medals, Banknotes & Books: Auction 6, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2012.
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