ITALY, Papale (Stato pontificio). Formosus, with Guido II di Spoleto. 891-896. AR Denaro (21mm, 1.24 g, 11h). Rome mint. Struck 891-894.

Electronic Auction 483
Lot: 588. Estimated: $ 2 500

World, Silver

Sold For $ 4 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Go to Live

ITALY, Papale (Stato pontificio). Formosus, with Guido II di Spoleto. 891-896. AR Denaro (21mm, 1.24 g, 11h). Rome mint. Struck 891-894. Bust of St. Peter facing slightly left; S P flanking / ROMA in cruciform monogram. MIR 55; Muntoni 1; Berman 45; MEC 1, 1057. Toned. VF. Very rare.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group Inventory 789256 (April 2007); Elsen 91 (24 March 2007), lot 520.

Formosus’ papal reign was brief and troubled, and after his death, he was exhumed by his successor, and placed on trial in what subsequently became known as the Cadaver Synod. Although Formosus an experienced diplomat and a potential candidate for the papacy as early as 872, Pope John VIII formally excommunicated that year, owing to Formosus’ underhanded dealings. Over almost the next two decades, Formosus regained his position, and in 891 was elected Pope.

Shortly after assuming office, Formosus, in order to secure his position as Pope, was forced to crown Guy II of Spoleto and his young son Lambert as co-emperors. Fearing their power, he offered to crown Arnulf of Carinthia in their place if he “liberated” Italy. Early in 894, Arnulf entered the Italy and conquered all of the territory north of the Po. Later that year, Guy died and Lambert was removed, though it was not until 896 when Formosus finally crowned him emperor. Shortly thereafter, both he and Formosus died.

Following the death of both Formosus and Arnulf, Lambert, under the influence of his mother Agiltrude, sought his reinstatement as emperor and in 897, the new pope Stephen VI, convened what has subsequently known as the Cadaver Synod , by putting the disinterred corpse of Formosus on trial. Found guilty and unworthy of his pontificate, all his measures and acts, including his removal of Lambert as emperor, were annulled, and the orders conferred by him were declared invalid. The papal vestments were torn from his body, the three fingers from his right hand that he had used in consecrations were cut off and the corpse was thrown into the Tiber.

Closing Date and Time: 6 January 2021 at 13:15:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.