Watch List notes:

Papal States. Bologna. The Antipope Giovanni (Jean) XXIII -- Baldassare Cossa (1410-1415). Ducato Papale. Tiara above Cossa Arms; .IOhES:P.P. VICERIMVS: TERCIVS., rev. St. Peter standing facing; S. PETRVS APOSTOLVS. Ber.258, Fr.319. The Pisan antipope during the Western Schism, Baldassare Cossa was born on the Neapolitan island of Procida. In his early years, he was a military adventurer, then archdeacon in Bologna, and Papal Legate to Romagna. In 1408, he was one of seven cardinals who withdrew their allegiance from Pope Gregorio XII. This Council of Pisa elected Alessandro V as their pope. When Alessandro died less than a year later, Cossa succeeded him as Giovanni XXIII. He played the rival kings of Naples, Louis II d'Anjou and Ladislaus against each other unsuccessfully and was forced by all sides to convoke the Council of Constance. The Council resolved to end the Pontifex confusion and have all three popes -- Gregorio XII, the Avignon Pope Benedetto XIII and Giovanni XXIII, abdicate and a new pope elected. Cossa escaped from Constance, and in his absence, was deposed. Upon his return, he was bought to stand trial for simony, perjury, and misconduct. He was imprisoned in Germany, but released after the Medici paid a heavy ransom for him. He came to Florence and submitted to Pope Martin V who made him Cardinal Bishop of Frascati. Cossa died a few months later. PCGS AU 50.

($9000-12000)