File:Medieval papal bulla (obverse and reverse) (FindID 123657).jpg

English: An incomplete and damaged cast lead or lead alloy circular papal bulla. Only half of the papal bull remains. The break reveals a void within the papal bulla where the ribbon was secured. This break is not recent. The front (recta) side of the bulla usually depicts the faces of Saints Peter and Paul with a cross between them. Only Peter’s face remains on this example with ‘SPA’ above it, this being an abbreviation for St. Paul St. The design is within a high-relief beaded border. The reverse (verso) side of the bulla shows the name of the Pope, which is written in the nominative, with his abbreviated title (PP: Pastor Pastorum - Shepard of the Shepards) and ordinal number. Only a few letter remain on this example ‘[ ]NO / [ ]VS/ [ ]. The papal bulla measures 36.44mm long, 18.34mm wide and 4.77mm thick. It weighs 14.9g. The papal bulla is a mid grey/light brown colour with an even patina. Papal Bullae act as a formal seal of office used by the Popes to stamp and authenticate documents produced by the curia in either Rome or in this period by the Anti-Popes in Avignon. Dr Tim Pestell comments on this papal bulla suggest the Pope being represented is that of Honorius IV (1285-7), as it is the style of the scrolls on the ‘N’ which differentiate Honorius IV from Honorius III.