Nomos AG
Auction 25 20 Nov 2022
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ITALY. Papal States. Formosus, 891-896. Seal or Bulla (Lead, 31 mm, 37.45 g, 11 h), c. 816-896, Rome. +/ PA/PAE in three lines within circular border of dots . Rev. + / FOR/MO/SI in four lines within circular border of dots. Serafini 12 (from the same boullterion). Extremely rare and historically important. Clear and well-preserved. Has been lacquered, otherwise, good very fine.
From the Dr. Pelc Dens Sapientiae Collection, USA ex Classical Numismatic Group 63, 21 May 2003, 1873.
The reign and fate of Pope Formosus were not exactly models of Christian piety. He was fully involved with the often murderous political disputes of the day, to such an extent that, after his death, and that of his immediate successor Boniface VI (who lasted 15 days in April 896), the new Pope, Stephen VI (22 May 896-August 897), had Formosus' body disinterred and put on trial! This was known as the Cadaver Synod of January 897: the body was dressed in papal robes and when, as expected, Formosus was condemned his robes were stripped off, three fingers of his right hand, used in blessings, were snipped off, and he was reburied. Shortly thereafter he was again dug up and thrown into the Tiber (a monk retrieved the body). This trial did not end well for Stephen VI since he was ultimately thrown into prison and strangled!
From the Dr. Pelc Dens Sapientiae Collection, USA ex Classical Numismatic Group 63, 21 May 2003, 1873.
The reign and fate of Pope Formosus were not exactly models of Christian piety. He was fully involved with the often murderous political disputes of the day, to such an extent that, after his death, and that of his immediate successor Boniface VI (who lasted 15 days in April 896), the new Pope, Stephen VI (22 May 896-August 897), had Formosus' body disinterred and put on trial! This was known as the Cadaver Synod of January 897: the body was dressed in papal robes and when, as expected, Formosus was condemned his robes were stripped off, three fingers of his right hand, used in blessings, were snipped off, and he was reburied. Shortly thereafter he was again dug up and thrown into the Tiber (a monk retrieved the body). This trial did not end well for Stephen VI since he was ultimately thrown into prison and strangled!