GERMANY - GERMANY Mainz, Saint Alban's abbey in front of Mainz. Florin d'or 1778. Av. S: ALBANUS MARTYR (date). Saint Alban nimbed, front, carrying his head. Rv. (wheel) REG: D: MAXIMILIANO CÆSARE P: F: AUG:. Shield festooned. KM.16 - Fr.1694; Gold - 2.4 g - 19 mm - 6 h Top Pop: the only graded example! From the Wolff Metternich collection. NGC MS 63 (6320008-077). Close to mint condition, with barely satin-finished relief. Minor handling marks. Superb at Fleur de coin. The privilege of minting coins for the monastery of St Alban before Mainz was granted in 1518 by Emperor Maximilian I because of its links with the abbot of St Alban, Melchior Pfinzing, who was also his secretary. The florins are of the very pure Hungarian denomination (0.986) and the value of the Rhenish florins, known as Saint Alban florins (albansgulden). They were only distributed to members of the congregation, which explains their rarity. * Following Council Directive (EU) 2022/542 of April 5, 2022, implemented in national law from 01/01/2025, buyers from within the EU have to pay 5.5% VAT on the hammer price of this lot. * Following Council Directive (EU) 2022/542 of April 5, 2022, implemented in national law from 01/01/2025, buyers from within the EU have to pay 5.5% VAT on the hammer price of this lot.