10 Euros Council of Constance, Silver Proof Issue

The Council of Constance (1414–1418) was the ecclesiastical assembly that ended the Western Schism — a crisis during which three men simultaneously claimed to be the legitimate Pope. It is the only ecumenical council in history to have deposed sitting popes, removing both John XXIII and Benedict XIII while accepting the resignation of Gregory XII, clearing the path for the election of Martin V. The council also condemned Jan Hus, who was burned at the stake in Constance in July 1415 despite a safe-conduct guarantee.

Germany has issued commemorative €10 silver pieces since 2002; the .625 fineness used here is specific to that domestic proof series rather than the higher purity typically associated with collector silver.