1389-1404 AD. Aplete lead-alloy papal bulla of Pope Boniface IX, the obverse bearing an inscription of 'BONI/FATIVS/PP:VIIII' split into three lines within pelletted border; the reverse with bearded figures of facing St. Paul and St. Peter within pelletted border, inscription 'SPA SPE' above and crozier between. Cf. The Portable Antiquities Scheme, SS-282956, WAW-C8D175, DENO-938AE1, BERK-47FAF2 and HESH-F307A6, for similar papal bullae of Pope Boniface IX. 45.1 grams, 37mm wide (1 1/2"). Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection (part 2), Essex, UK. The papal bulla is a formal seal of office ed by the Popes to stamp and authenticate documents produced by the papal curia. Dr Tim Pestell hasmented on other records: 'Papal bulls came as two basic types, according to the contents of the document: Tituli, or 'Letters of Grace', essentially granted or confirmed rights, conferred benefices or promulgated statutes. They generally had their lead bullae attached with cords of silk. Mandamenta, or 'Letters of Jtice' were mandates that conveyed papal orders, prohibitions or injunctions, and had their bullae attached by hemp threads'. Boniface IX is quite a prolific issuer of bulls but this seems to be the result of a relatively long pontificate. I have 10 from the Diocese of East Anglia, although one is an unprovenanced example in Bury St Edmunds Meum. The bulla is therefore not unual, although it was issued at a time when papal bullae were on the decline in terms of numbers issued'. [No Reserve]