English: A lead alloy papal bulla of Pope Alexander IV (1254-1261). The bulla is a circular disc which has a little damage to the edge. The obverse carries the standard design of two busts, St. Paul and St. Peter, each within a border of raised pellets. Above are the letters SPA SPE, meaning Sanctus Paulus, Sanctus Petrus. There is a border of raised pellets round the whole. The reverse has the legend: "ALE / XANDER / PP IIII". There is an omega above the 'PP', which is an abbreviation of pastor pastorum - meaning shepherd of the shepherds. The bulla is 39.9mm in diameter and 5.8mm thick. It weighs 47.88gm. Papal bullae such as this would have acted as seals on official Papal documents to authenticate their provenance and authority. Tim Pestell has commented: "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". The hole for the attachment chord is now closed up, originally running from top to bottom through the centre of the seal. For reference see Saunders 2001. Salisbury and South Wiltshire museum Medieval catalogue part 3 pgs 89-91. Other bullae of Alexander IV on the database are IOW-8555E5, LIN-544D81, SOMDOR-411B75 and NMGW3298 (correct in Jan 2010).