Papacy

Urban V, Pope 1362-1370

Muntoni 2; Berman 201, PCGS graded MS-62

Avignon. + S· IOHA-NNES, St. John the Baptist standing facing, holding cruciform scepter; above to left, tiara. Reverse: (crossed keys) SANT· ·PETRH, large fleur..

Ex Ranieri 8 (9 Noevember 2015), 409

The importance of the gold florin of Florence (introduced in 1252) as a widely accepted trade coin is illustrated by the present coin. It features the standard Florentine types: John the Baptist, the patron saint of the city on the obverse and the fleur-de-lis on the reverse. However, it is distinguished from regular issues of Florence by the papal tiara that appears above the Baptist’s hand on the obverse and the legend naming St. Peter on the reverse makes clear that it is a papal issue, probably struck in Avignon under Pope Urban V.