The Gold Florin of the City of Florence

The Gold Florin is the City of Florence’s highest honour, awarded to personalities and organisations that have distinguished themselves for their ties and love for the city of the lily.

Reproduction of the Florentine Gold Florin of 1252 by Master Goldsmith Paolo Penko.

The coin, depicting on one side the Florentine lily with the inscription “FLOR – ENTIA” and on the other the effigy of St. John the Baptist, patron saint of the city with the inscription “S – IOHANNES – B -“, is contained in a red box bearing the inscription “The Mayor of Florence” and is accompanied by a certificate, signed by the Mayor, containing the reasons for the award.

The civic recognition known as “Il Fiorino d’Oro della città di Firenze” (The Gold Florin of the city of Florence) is awarded to Italian citizens or citizens of other countries, of recognised probity, who, through their notorious work in the fields of culture, the arts, work in all its expressions, politics, assistance, philanthropy, sport and international activities, have brought particular prestige to the city and its institutions and rendered service to the national and international community, and are therefore worthy of public commendation.

The awarding of the ‘Gold Florin’ is decided by the Mayor of Florence motu proprio, or on the recommendation of members of the City Council or the City Council.

The “Gold Florin” is awarded by the Mayor, or his representative with a written delegation, in a ceremony to be held in principle in Palazzo Vecchio or in the city of Florence. In accordance with tradition, the ceremony for the presentation of the ‘gold florins’ takes place every year on 24 June on the feast of St John.

The name of the person who has obtained the civic recognition of the “Gold Florin” is registered (together with the motivation) in the special register kept at the Mayor’s Office.