Provence (1343-52) florin Fr-209
This specimen was lot 2391 in Sincona sale 87 (Zürich, October 2023), where it sold for 850 CHF (about US$1,145 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANKREICH Provence, Jeanne de Naples, 1343-1352. Florin d'or à la chambre o. J., Saint-Rémy. Selten, Sehr schön, Rand etwas bearbeitet, Rare. Very fine. Edge slightly tooled."
The county of Provence, home of the Provençal dialect spoken throughout southern France, was ruled by a separate dynasty until 1486 when it was finally incorporated into France. Joanna I was queen of Naples and countess of Provence 1343-82 and had a long and checkered career there, including three marriages and her murder by Charles of Durazzo. It is uncertain if she ever set foot in Provence but this florin d'or and accompanying franc à pied are considered French, not Italian coins.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.25 g, 0.917 fine gold, this specimen 3.00 g.
Catalog reference: Bodeau 857, PdA 4013, Fr-209.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 87, World Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2023.
Link to:
- Provence (1343-52) franc a pied Fr-208
- Naples (1343-52) florin Fr-812 (formerly Provence Fr-210)
- Coins and currency dated 1343