210, Lot: 467. Estimate $100. Sold for $421. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Papal Bullae. Gregory XIII (Ugo Boncompagni). 1572-1585. PB Bulla (36mm, 48.71 g, 12h). GRE/GORIVS/PAPA ·/XIII in four lines; all within beaded-linear border / Bare heads of Sts. Paul and Peter, facing slightly right and left, respectively, each within halo; S/P/A and S/P/E above, long cross between; all within linear border. Serafini II 875 (same dies as bulla illustrated). Near EF, yellow chord still intact.

From the Luparello Collection.

Best known for his reformation of the Gregorian calendar, Pope Gregory XIII sought wide reform for the Church itself. The Index of Forbidden Books was updated and the Consistories were abolished and replaced with the College of Cardinals. In order to raise money for his many public and cultural improvements, he confiscated many properties, alienating many of the gentry and noble families and plunged the papal states into near-anarchy until his death.