Viennois (1333-49) florin Fr-246
This specimen was lot 425 in Jean Elsen sale 148 (Brussels, September 2021), where it sold for €750 (about US$1,063 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, DAUPHINE, Humbert II (1333-1349), AV florin d'or. D/ + HV DPH- VIENS Grande fleur de lis. R/ ·S· IOHA-NNES· B· (tour) Saint Jean-Baptiste deb. de f., ten. une croix et levant la main. Légèrement ondulé. Très Beau à Superbe. (France, county of Dauphiné, Humbert II, 1333-49, gold florin. Obverse: large fleur-de-lys; reverse: St. John the Baptist facing, bearing a cross. Slightly wavy, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
The Viennois (also known as Dauphiné) had been ruled by an independent dynasty since the early 1300's. Louis XI's accession ended the province's independence but separate coinage was issued for it until the reign of Charles IX (1560-74).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3,50 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-246, B. 1059; P.A. 4867; D. 2431.
- 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.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 148: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.
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