Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXIII 14-15 Jan 2020
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
ITALY, Firenze. Repubblica. 1189-1532. AV Fiorino d'oro (20mm, 3.56 g, 3h). Series III, Type C. Segno: pyramid of three pellets. Struck 1252-1267. + FLOR ENTIA, large ornate lily / (triple pellets) S : IOHA NNES • B •, Saint John the Baptist standing facing, holding cross-tipped scepter and raising right hand in benediction. Cf. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe 250 (for type, but different segno); CNI XII –; Bernocchi 81; MIR 3/3; Biaggi 785; Friedberg 275. Toned. Near EF.
From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins, purchased from Charles H. Wolfe, III, 1998.
The Fiorino d'oro – known in English as the gold Florin – was introduced in 1252, and depicted on its obverse the lily, symbol of Florence, and on the reverse a figure of St. Johnthe Baptist. At the time, Mediterranean trade was dominated by the bezant, a colloquial name for the gold dinars of the various Islamic and Crusader states. But the Fiorino, proving to be a sound and reliable coin, soon overcame the bezants in popularity, thus becoming the first European gold trade coinage since Roman times. The type was imitated throughout Europe, with vast numbers struck not only in Florence, but in Hungary, France, and Spain as well. These early imitations generally conformed to the lily/Saint type, with later issues gradually developing more local types, while still retaining the Florentine weight standard.
From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins, purchased from Charles H. Wolfe, III, 1998.
The Fiorino d'oro – known in English as the gold Florin – was introduced in 1252, and depicted on its obverse the lily, symbol of Florence, and on the reverse a figure of St. Johnthe Baptist. At the time, Mediterranean trade was dominated by the bezant, a colloquial name for the gold dinars of the various Islamic and Crusader states. But the Fiorino, proving to be a sound and reliable coin, soon overcame the bezants in popularity, thus becoming the first European gold trade coinage since Roman times. The type was imitated throughout Europe, with vast numbers struck not only in Florence, but in Hungary, France, and Spain as well. These early imitations generally conformed to the lily/Saint type, with later issues gradually developing more local types, while still retaining the Florentine weight standard.