Florin (Aragonese coin) facts for kids
The Florin was a special gold coin used a long time ago in a kingdom called Aragon, which is now part of Spain. It was first made in 1346 by order of King Peter IV. This coin was a copy of a famous gold coin from Florence, Italy.
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What Was the Aragonese Florin?
A Golden Coin's Look and Feel
The Aragonese Florin was made of pure gold and weighed about 3.35 grams. That's about the weight of a small paperclip! One side of the coin showed a picture of Saint John the Baptist. On the other side, it had a beautiful symbol called a fleur de lis, which looks like a fancy lily flower.
Where Florins Were Made
Even though it was called the Aragonese Florin, these coins were not actually made in the main part of the Kingdom of Aragon. Instead, they were minted (which means made) in several important cities. These cities included Perpignan, Barcelona, and Girona in a region called the Principality of Catalonia. They were also made in Valencia and on the island of Majorca.
Why Was the Florin Important?
The Florin was important because it was a gold coin, which meant it was very valuable for trade. Having its own gold coin helped the Kingdom of Aragon become stronger and richer. It showed that King Peter IV wanted his kingdom to be as powerful and respected as other big kingdoms in Europe that also had their own gold coins.
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