Austria 4 Florin Franz Joseph Gold Coin

The Austro-Hungarian Empire minted the Austria 4 Florin Gold Coin, closely tied to the Latin Monetary Union (LMU).

The coin, produced by the Vienna Mint in the late 19th century, was designed to comply with the LMU's monetary standards.

Historical Context

The Latin Monetary Union (LMU) was established in 1865 by France, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland, and Austria later aligned its currency with LMU standards. The idea was to facilitate trade and economic stability by creating a standard based on gold and silver weights, where certain denominations could be used interchangeably between countries.

The 4 Florin gold coin is equivalent to 10 French Francs and thus carries the dual denomination of "4 FL" (Florins) and "10 FR" (Francs) on the reverse side, reflecting its use within the LMU.

Design

The coin's obverse features a portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph I with his name and title inscribed in Latin. The reverse displays the Austro-Hungarian coat of arms, the double-headed eagle, the dual denomination "4 FL / 10 FR," and the date of minting.

Years of Mintage

The original years of mintage for the Austria 4 Florin Gold Coin are 1870 to 1892. Austria adopted the Krone currency in 1892 and stopped using the florin as a circulating denomination. However, like the 4 Florin/10 Francs coin, restrikes all bearing the 1892 date are still minted today and are a popular investment choice.

Specifications

• Weight: 3.2258 grams
• Gold Content: 0.0933 troy ounces of pure gold (2.9 grams of pure gold)
• Fineness: 90% gold (0.900 fineness)
• Diameter: Approximately 19 mm

Minting Locations

These coins are struck at the Vienna Mint, the primary minting facility of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Rarity, Value and Investment Potential

Original mintage (1870–1892): Coins minted during this period are relatively scarce compared to the restrikes. As a result, coins from this era tend to be more valuable and sought after by collectors, particularly in excellent condition.

Restrikes (dated 1892): The Vienna Mint continues to produce these coins today as restrikes, minted primarily for bullion and investment purposes.

These restrikes lack the numismatic rarity of the originals and are minted in large quantities, making them more affordable and common.

The value of the original 4 Florin coins (1870–1892) depends on the year of issue, condition, and market demand, but they are generally more valuable than restrikes.

Restrikes are valued more closely to their gold content and typically trade around melt value, depending on the current gold price and the coin's condition.

The Austria 4 Florin Gold Coin is exciting for collectors and investors. Original strikes from 1870 to 1892 have numismatic value and are more difficult to find, while the restrikes (with the "1892" date) are more accessible and favored for their bullion value. Whether as an investment or for historical collection purposes, these coins hold appeal due to their connection to the Latin Monetary Union and the rich history of Austria's monetary system.

Franz Josef 4 Florin/10 Francs Auctions