210, Lot: 458. Estimate $150. Sold for $488. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Papal Bullae. Clement VI (Pierre Roger de Beaufort). 1342-1352. PB Bulla (37mm, 40.80 g, 12h). ·/· CLЄ/MЄИS/· P P VI ·/· in five lines; all within linear-beaded border; (Ω above P P, rosette stops) / S PA S PE, bare heads of Sts. Paul and Peter, facing slightly right and left, respectively, each within beaded halo; cruciform scepter between; all within beaded-linear border. Serafini I 9 (same dies as bulla illustrated). Near EF. Well struck.

From the Luparello Collection.

Born in the village of Maumont, Clement VI ruled, much like his immediate predecessors, with a particular devotion to his native France. It was during his papacy that Avignon was purchased and freed from the rule of Queen Joan I of Naples. The Black Death ravaged Europe during this time and with it a wave of anti-Semitism followed, as Jews were blamed for the plague. Clement issued two bulls which condemned these beliefs and the violence undertaken against them, and unsuccessfully urged members of the clergy to aid in the protection of the Jews.