Lot 1805

Description

Italy, Papal Coinage, Gregory XI (Pierre Roger de Beaufort), (1370-1378), silver bolognino, 16mm, (1.19 g), Rome mint, obv. GG P P VD, mitred bust facing; pellet stops, rev. + IN ROMA, cross; U R B I in angles; pellet stops, (CNI XV 41; Muntoni 6 var. (mm); Berman 208). Very fine, toned, scarce.

Ex Dr L.J. Sherwin Collection, from Seaby Coin & Medal Bulletin, March 1977 (item 180).
Born in Rosiers-d?gletons, Gregory XI was the last of the French Popes. He achieved his goal of restoring his papal seat in Rome and formally condemned the nineteen propositions of John Wycliffe along with the thirteen articles of the Sachenspiegel. Upon his death, a Roman mob pressured the College of Cardinals to elect an Italian Pope, which they did in Urban VI, only to find themselves at odds with him and to return to Avignon to elect a new French Pope (Antipope Clement VII), ultimately leading to the Western Schism.