Currency and Wages

In the estimation of the taxable value of immovable property and the declaration of rent costs, the documents of the 1561/2 census utilize three units of measurement: the scudo, the lira and the soldo.

The predominant unit found in the estimation of the decima is the scudo (= 7.5 lire). In all cases, we have calculated and provided its conversion into lire. At the time, money of account was calculated as follows*:

Currency Conversion Rates

Soldo Lira Scudo
            140 soldi            =           7 lire            =          1 gold scudo

Other Conversions

1680 denari piccioli = 7 lire = 1 gold scudo

18000 denari piccioli = 1500 soldi

12 denari = 1 soldo

*This method of calculating money of account is to be found in CARLO CIPOLLA, La moneta a Firenze nel Cinquecento (Bologna: Il Mulino, 1987).

Example Salaries by Occupation

(1560-1562)

Muratore (per day)

1560: NA

1561: 1 Lira 12 soldi 6 denari

1562: 1 Lira 6 soldi 6 denari

Manovale (per day)

1560: NA

1561: 18 soldi 4 denari

1562: 19 soldi

Prices for Commodities*

(1560-1562)

Wheat (per bushel)

1560: 3 Lire 18 soldi

1561: 2 Lire 10 soldi

1562: 3 Lire 17 soldi

Wine (per barrel)   

1560: 6 Lire 15 soldi

1561: 5 Lire 18 soldi 6 denari

1562: 5 Lire 5 soldi 4 denari

Parmigiano (per pound)

1560: 8 soldi 6 denari

1561: NA

1562: 8 soldi 4 denari

Sugar (per pound)

1560: 1 Lira 4 soldi 11 denari

1561: 1 Lira 7 soldi 7 denari

1562: 1 Lira 12 soldi

* These sums and many more are to be found in GIUSEPPE PARENTI, Prime ricerche sulla rivoluzione dei prezzi in Firenze (Firenze: Cya, 1939).