210, Lot: 465. Estimate $200. Sold for $726. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Papal Bullae. Julius II (Giuliano Della Rovere). 1503-1513. PB Bulla (36mm, 43.82 g, 12h). ·IV/LIVS ·/PAPA/· II · in four lines; all within beaded-linear border; (acorn stops) / Bare heads of Sts. Paul and Peter, facing slightly right and left, respectively, each within beaded halo; S/P/A and S/P/E above, long cross between, group of three acorns below; all within beaded-linear border. Serafini I 211-4 var. (obv. legend). EF, yellow chord still intact. Well struck; rare.

From the Luparello Collection.

The altar boy and nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, Julius II dealt with foreign affairs very forcefully, regaining Perugia and Bologna from their despots, even leading troops himself. In mourning for the loss of Bologna, he wore a beard for nine months, a practice which Clement VII copied and made vogue. Julius II was also a patron of the arts, financing artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bramante.