republic-of-florence-present-day-italy-circa-1252-1533-first-minted-in-1252-exact-year-not-specified-without-a-specific-coin-image-item
DenominationFlorin (Fiorino d'oro)
Country / EmpireRepublic of Florence (present-day Italy)
Obverse DesignFleur-de-lis (lily of Florence), with the legend 'FLORENTIA'
Reverse DesignSt. John the Baptist standing, holding a staff/scepter, with the legend 'S. IOHANNES B.' (Sanctus Iohannes Baptista)
Historical Context
The Florentine Florin was one of the first major gold coins struck in Western Europe after the 7th century, beginning in 1252. Its consistent purity and weight made it the dominant international trade currency in Europe for several centuries, playing a crucial role in the economic boom of the Renaissance. It set a standard for gold coinage that was widely emulated.
