The Florentine florin was a gold coin first minted in the city of Florence in 1252. It weighed about 3.5 grams and was made of high-quality gold, making it a popular currency in medieval Europe. The florin featured the image of the Florentine lily on one side and St. John the Baptist on the other, symbolizing the city's wealth and power. As a widely accepted currency, the florin facilitated trade across Europe, influencing economic systems in various regions. It became a standard for other currencies, leading to the creation of similar coins in places like England and France. The florin's legacy continues to be recognized in modern currency systems.