florin, Lübeck, 1340
Gold florins from the Italian city-state of Florence became very popular around Europe after they began to be issued in the 13th century. As a result of this success, many different states in Europe began to produce their own copies to capitalise on the market opportunity.
This example is one such replica, made in Lybeck. In broad outline, the design is identical to an original florin. To the left of the face of Jesus, where the mint mark usually appeared, there is instead the double eagle of Lybeck, revealing that it is in fact a Lybian coin.
