Archaeological Museum of Bologna

Museo Civico Archeologico
Via dell'Archiginnasio 2 - 40124 Bologna
Tel. 051.27.57.211

Direzione e Uffici
Via de' Musei 8 – 40124 Bologna
Tel. 051.27.57.211 - Fax 051.26.65.16
mca@comune.bologna.it

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Collections / Itineraries / Numismatic Collection: Coins of italian mints

Fiorin from Florence's mint

Following the example of Genoa, the Republic of Florence began in 1252 to coin a gold piece of 24 carats, weighing 3.54 grams; for the type of obverse, the florentine lily, this coin was called florin. On the reverse appears the figure of St. John the Baptist, the saint patron of the city, depicted on the coin to guarantee the quality of the currency. On the obverse appears the legend FLORENTIA, while on the reverse S. IOHANNES.B. and a small shield surmounted by the letter S, as a symbol of the Master of the Mint Solomon Strozzi.

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On the reverse appears the figure of St. John the Baptist, the saint patron of the city, depicted on the coin to guarantee the quality of the currency. On the obverse appears the legend FLORENTIA, while on the reverse S. IOHANNES.B. and a small shield surmounted by the letter S, as a symbol of the Master of the Mint Solomon Strozzi.

Provenance: Palagi Collection
Datation: 1416
Material: silver
Dimensions: diam mm 21; gr 3,55
Inventory #: 63533

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