File:Medieval Papal Bulla (FindID 432290).jpg

English: A Medieval lead Papal bulla of Pope Innocent IV, whose papacy lasted from 1243 to 1254 AD. The obverse depicts the faces of St Peter and St Paul below the inscription SPASPE (SPA = Sanctus Paulus, SPE = Sanctus Petrus), all of which are surrounded by a beaded border, flanking the outside edge of the bulla. St. Paul is seen on the left looking right, with a long pointed beard, and St. Peter is on the right facing left, with a rounded face and beard and hair formed from pellets. Each is within a C or backwards-C beaded border, joined to the main. The reverse bears the legend INNO/CENTIVS/.PP.IIII. , within a beaded border. There is an omega above the 'PP', which is an abbreviation of pastor pastorum - meaning shepherd of the shepherds. The surface of the bulla has a well developed cream coloured patination. It measures 33.77mm in diameter, 5.17mm in thickness, and weighs 29.8g.

Papal bullae were used as seals on official papal documents sent out from Rome (during the schism, Avignon) as a means of authentication. Tim Pestell has stated on other bulla 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 Justice" were mandates that conveyed papal orders, prohibitions or injunctions, and had their bullae attached by hemp threads". They may have also had a secondary use as an amulet.