File:Medieval Papal Bulla (FindID 229385).jpg

English: A slightly incomplete cast lead papal bulla of Innocent IV, dating from AD 1243-1254(diameter: 37.3mm; thickness: 3.8mm; weight: 40.1g).

On the obverse (recta) of the bulla, the head of St. Paul is on the left and is depicted with complete facial features, including a straight linear and pointed beard. On the right, St. Peter is also depicted with complete facial features and his hair and beard are formed by pellets. Above the heads, the saints’ abbreviations are still partially visible with ‘SPA’ for St. Paul to the left and ‘SPE’ for St. Peter to the right. Both heads are separately surrounded by a tear-drop formation of linear beads, with a cross pattée supported on a staff between them. There is also an additional circular beaded border running around the outside edge of the bulla, the left hand side of which have been abraded away.

On the reverse (verso) of the bulla, the inscription reads ‘INNOCENTIVS PP IIII', also within a circular beaded border running around the outside edge which has been worn away in places. The ‘PP’ means ‘pastor pastorum’ and is translated as ‘shepherd of the shepherds’. There is also a worn omega symbol above the letters ‘PP’.

In his publication ‘Finds Identified’ [2000], pages 4-5, Gordon Bailey states that these seals ‘were attached to Papal documents (or ‘bulls’ as they were called) that were issued by the offices of the Pope. A document with a Papal Bulla attached signified that it had been issued with the Pope’s authority’.