Italy Tuscany Francescone 1766 to 1771

Piero Leopoldo (PETRVS LEOPOLDVS) became known as Leopold II (1747-1792) and was Archduke of Austria, Grand Duke of Tuscany, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and King of Bohemia, Croatia and Hungary. These large silver coins bear his image and the Latin inscription O Lord Direct my Steps (DIRIGE DOMINE GRESSVS MEOS). There are a few other large silver coins with identical and similar inscriptions. This page applies only to coins that look like our picture.

This picture comes from Astarte SA in Switzerland, where it sold at auction during 2010 for 330 Swiss francs, about $350 US dollars. The coin has risen in value since 2010.

Approximate catalog values run like this:

1 FRANCESCONE, BUST FACING RIGHT
worn: $80 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $350
well preserved: $800
Francescones with bust facing right and dated after 1768 are more common and worth slightly less

1 FRANCESCONE, BUST FACING LEFT
worn: $200 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $700
well preserved: $1200

These are catalog values and give only rough guidance for value. Each coin stands on its own merits. If you have a nice looking, problem-free coin with no scratches, cleanings, scrapes, stains, gouges, and the like, take it to a knowledgeable collector or coin dealer for an in-person appraisal.
cqLastNotify