Pope Callixtus III was born Alfons de Borja on December 31, 1378, in the Spanish Kingdom of Valencia. He was a professor of law, served as diplomat to the Kings of Aragon, and was the founder of the family fortunes in Italy under the Italianized name of Borgia. Alfons was elected to the papacy on April 8, 1455, and ruled until his death on August 6, 1458. He was austere and pious, but surrounded himself with relatives and place-seekers. Callixtus ordered the retrial of Joan of Arc, which would later vindicate her. This medal, showing his coat of arms on the reverse with papal accompaniments, is the only contemporary medal of Callixtus.