Tuscany 1797 francescone Dav-1521

Künker Auction 426, lot 3019

This specimen was lot 3019 in Künker Auction 426 (Osnabrück, July 2025), where it sold for €120 (about US$170 including buyers' fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"EUROPÄISCHE MÜNZEN UND MEDAILLEN · ITALIEN, TOSCANA Ferdinando III. di Lorena, 1. Regierungszeit, 1790-1801. Francescone (10 Paoli) 1797, Florenz. Winz. Kratzer, sehr schön +. (Italy, grand duchy of Tuscany, Ferdinand II of Lorraine, first reign, 1790-1801, francescone or ten paoli of 1797, Florence mint. Minor scratches, very fine or better.)"

This type was struck 1791-1801. 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. Ferdinand III was the second son of Leopold of Austria and succeeded to the grand duchy when Leopold was elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1790.

Recorded mintage: unknown but a common date.

Specifications: 27.5 g, 0.917 fine silver, this specimen 27,19 g.

Catalog reference: KM C37, Dav-1521; Montagano 405/6 (R).

Sources:

• 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.
• Montagano, Alessio, Monete Italiane Regionale: Firenze, Florence: Edizioni Numismatica Varesi, 2011.
• Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
• ^[1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, eLive Premium Auction 426: European and German Coins and Medals from the 16th to the 20th century, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2025.

Links:

• 1795 francescone
• 1797 zecchino
• 1799 francescone
• Coins and currency dated 1797