Sale: CNG 64, Lot: 1531. Estimate $400.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 24 September 2003.  Sold For $400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Papal States. Eugenius IV. 1431-1447. AR Grosso (3.80 gm). Rome mint. Eugenius seated facing on throne / Papal coat-of-arms above crossed keys. CNI XV pg. 223, 34; cf. Muntoni I pg. 47, 13; Berman 303. VF, warped flan. ($400)

In 1439, the Byzantine emperor John VIII arrived in Italy to negotiate a reconciliation with the Roman Catholic Church in order to gain Western aid in fighting 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.