AV Scudo d'oto del Sole ND Bologna Mint Papal States/ Bologna Pope Clemente VII 1521-34 MS-62 Clemente had a rough time as Pope. First of all, the Church was bankrupt. In 1527, Henry VIII of England divorced Catharine of Aragon, which led to England forming its own Anglican religion. Furthermore foreign armies where waging war in Italy/ which culminated with the German Holy Roman Emperor Karl V sacking Rome, taking the Pope prisoner. After which Clemente paid Karl 400,000 AV Dukats to secure his life and release from the Imperial prison. Also, another German caused him a lot of headaches , named Martin Luther.
Wow! Great coin. And I appreciate your write-up even more. That's what makes numismatics so intriguing -- the story behind the coins.
