Sale: CNG 61, Lot: 2479. Estimate $400.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2002.  Sold For $658. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Papal. Eugenius IV. 1431-1447. AR Grosso (3.92 gm). •+EVGENIVS• PP QVARTVS•, Condulmer arms surmounted by tiara and keys, all within quadrilobe / + •S• PETR VS •S• PAVLVS •ALMA• ROMA•, St. Peter and St. Paul standing, holding swords and books. Muntoni I pg. 47, 17; CNI XV pg. 229, 43; Berman 305. Good VF, very attractive. ($400)

In 1439 the Byzantine emperor John VIII arrived in Italy to negotiate a reconciliation with the Catholic church, this in order to gain western aid in the fight against the Turks. Although John acknowledged the authority of Pope Eugenius IV, little aid was forthcoming and the Byzantines were outraged at their perceived humiliation at the hands of the Roman church.