THE GOLD FLORIN

ONE FLORIN TODAY FOR A THOUSAND TOMORROW

HISTORY OF THE FLORIN

In the thirteenth century, due to Florence’s ambition to become one of the most important and influential economic and commercial powers in Europe, the city needed its own currency. It was thus that in 1252, what was to become the symbol of the city’s economic power “sgorgò come un piccolo sole” – sprang forth like a tiny sun from the Florentine Mint: the gold Florin.
Portraying the Florentine lily on one side with the words “FLOR • ENTIA”, and the effigy of St. John the Baptist, patron saint of the city with the words “S • IOHANNES • B •” on the other, this coin was in pure 24-karat gold and weighed 3,536 grams.

In 1345, Mint was found in Piazza dei Signori, near the ancient church of San Pier Scheraggio, before being moved to the street alongside the Arno river, alongside to the Tower in what is today Piazza Piave.

The Gold Mint was controlled by the oldest of the Guilds in Florence: the Arte di Calimala (Wool Merchants’ Guild), which reunited the merchants and also organised the festivities in honour of their patron saint.

The production process of the gold florin consisted of three steps: the preparation of the dies and their engraving, the melting of the gold and creation of the “fedoni”, and the minting of the coin. Everything was carried out completely by hand using hammers, iron tassi, anvils, burins, scorpers and small chisels.

The blacksmith made the “instruments” for preparing the dies that were then engraved and tempered before being used to make the coins. The engraver used burins, scorpers and small punches to engrave the dies. The bottom die, where the “head” was engraved, called “pila”, was held in place in a wooden block. The top cylindrical die, called “torsello”, was where the minter gave one or more hammer blows. The “rimettitori” also known as “remissori” were the officers who took care of melting the gold as well as controlling the recovery of imperfect coins, offcuts, and gold-dust filings.

OCCASIONS

FOR GIVING A GOLD FLORIN AS A GIFT

The gold florin was traditionally given as a gift on the birth of a baby boy or girl. In fact, in the fourteenth century, thanks to its value, a pure gold florin (24k) represented a prestigious gift for a newborn as well as protection throughout life thanks to the presence of the effigy of St. John.

The family gathered around the newborn and placed the coin in the baby’s tiny hand – if it grasped it (instinctively closing its hand) this was considered an auspicious sign.

It has always been a Florentine custom to donate the gold florin as a symbol of good luck on occasion of a baptism or other important events such as a first communion, anniversary, marriage or graduation celebration, accompanied by the wish for “un fiorino d’oro oggi per mille fiorini domani” (one gold florin today for a thousand tomorrow).

The reproduction of the Florin is made in gilded bronze, silver, and 18k and 24k gold.
It can be mounted on a Plexiglas base as an ornament to keep on a desk or use as a paperweight.

The florin can also be used as a jewel to wear as a pendant in a necklace or bracelet, or as a ring, set in both the female and male versions, otherwise in stud or drop earrings.
Florins used as cufflinks add a touch of glamour, especially to the groom on his wedding day.

The 24-k gold florin created by Penko Bottega Orafa Penko is used by the city of Florence as a civic recognition called “The Golden Florin of the city of Florence”. It is awarded to Italian of foreign citizens of recognized integrity who through their well-known reputation in the field of culture, the arts, work in all its expressions, politics, welfare, philanthropy, sport, and international activities, have given particular prestige to the city and its institutions and rendered a service to the national and international community, and are therefore worthy of public commendation.

INTERESTING FACTS

The “Signore della Zecca per l’oro” (Lord of the Gold Mint), “estratto a sorte et fortuna” – elected by destiny and fortune every six months from among the members of the Arte di Calimala (Wool Merchants’ Guild), was invested with the task of guaranteeing the quality of the coin and overseeing the work of the Florentine mint. His own symbol or coat of arms was engraved above the raised index finger of the Patron Saint in the act of blessing.

Hence the saying “San Giovanni non vuole inganni” (St. John wants no deceit).

The gold florin, widespread throughout Europe, also attracted the attention of many forgers. The story of Mastro Adamo is famous, also mentioned by Dante in the 30th Canto dell’Inferno where he is found in the forger’s bedlam and subjected to the penalty of dropsy that deformed his body by swelling his belly out of all proportion. Dante learnt about this when, due to a fire, a box full of false gold florins was found in a wine cellar in Borgo San Lorenzo in Florence.

Mastro Adam was instigated by his greedy brothers Guido, Alessandro and Aghinolfo of the Guidi Counts of Romena, lords of the upper Casentino, to falsify the florins by removing three carats of gold from the 24 regular ones (“e m’indussreo a batter li fiorin i / ch’avevan tre carati di mondiglia” – and they made me beat the florins/which had three carats of offcuts”) . The counterfeit coins were then passed off by a “spender” not only in Florence, but also throughout Tuscany, Perugia and even Rome, thus discrediting the renowned Florentine coin.

Mastro Adamo was arrested and burned at the stake in 1281. The sentence was probably carried out in Florence in order to wash away the shame in the same place of his dealings, but popular tradition has it that the soldiers led by the Bargello himself ambushed him at the Consuma Pass, in a place still called Omomorto (dead man). When Adamo became aware of the ambush, he swallowed a whole bottle of poison that he always kept with him. However, without any mercy, a pyre was set up on the spot, where he burned in agony and his ashes scattered in the wind.

INTERESTING FACTS

The “Signore della Zecca per l’oro” (Lord of the Gold Mint), “estratto a sorte et fortuna” – elected by destiny and fortune every six months from among the members of the Arte di Calimala (Wool Merchants’ Guild), was invested with the task of guaranteeing the quality of the coin and overseeing the work of the Florentine mint. His own symbol or coat of arms was engraved above the raised index finger of the Patron Saint in the act of blessing.
Hence the saying “San Giovanni non vuole inganni” (St. John wants no deceit).

The gold florin, widespread throughout Europe, also attracted the attention of many forgers. The story of Mastro Adamo is famous, also mentioned by Dante in the 30th Canto dell’Inferno where he is found in the forger’s bedlam and subjected to the penalty of dropsy that deformed his body by swelling his belly out of all proportion. Dante learnt about this when, due to a fire, a box full of false gold florins was found in a wine cellar in Borgo San Lorenzo in Florence,

Mastro Adam was instigated by his greedy brothers Guido, Alessandro and Aghinolfo of the Guidi Counts of Romena, lords of the upper Casentino, to falsify the florins by removing three carats of gold from the 24 regular ones (“e m’indussreo a batter li fiorin i / ch’avevan tre carati di mondiglia” – and they made me beat the florins/which had three carats of offcuts”) . The counterfeit coins were then passed off by a “spender” not only in Florence, but also throughout Tuscany, Perugia and even Rome, thus discrediting the renowned Florentine coin.

Mastro Adamo was arrested and burned at the stake in 1281. The sentence was probably carried out in Florence in order to wash away the shame in the same place of his dealings, but popular tradition has it that the soldiers led by the Bargello himself ambushed him at the Consuma Pass, in a place still called Omomorto (dead man). When Adamo became aware of the ambush, he swallowed a whole bottle of poison that he always kept with him. However, without any mercy, a pyre was set up on the spot, where he burned in agony and his ashes scattered in the wind.

THE GOLD FLORIN

ONE FLORIN TODAY FOR A THOUSAND TOMORROW

HISTORY OF THE FLORIN

OCCASIONS

FOR GIVING A GOLD FLORIN AS A GIFT

INTERESTING FACTS

INTERESTING FACTS

Penko Bottega Orafa Artigiana

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