Touch Piece Medallion ReplicaFrom the Middle Ages until the early 18th century, it was commonly believed that scrofula (a form of tuberculosis affecting the lymph glands) could be treated or even cured by a monarch touching the infected area.Many English and French monarchs, for obvious reasons, found it distasteful to actually touch victims with their own hands, and so they developed the practice of touching a gold coin that could be pressed into the affected area. A hammered gold coin known as an Angel was most often chosen for use as a touch piece, due to its reverse image of the archangel Michael standing over a defeated Satan, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. The last of these coins was last struck in 1634, and following this, medalletes were struck with a similar theme, typically pierced so that they could be worn around the sufferer's neck as an amulet. One famous recipient of the King's (or in this case, Queen's) touch was Dr Samuel Johnson, pioneer of the English Dictionary. As an infant, he received a touchpiece from Queen Anne to ward off the scrofula he was suffering from in 1712. Two years later, the ceremony was abolished by George I, who regarded the whole concept of 'touching' as a ridiculous 'catholic' superstition. Medallion Specifications
Notes on TableDiameter = Diameter in millimetres.Weight = Weight in grams. AGW = Actual weight of fine gold content in troy ounces. Johnson Matthey Replica Gold Touchpiece
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Medals & Medallions Wanted
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Obverse of Queen Anne Replica Touchpiece Medallion
Reverse of Queen Anne Replica Touchpiece Medallion
Obverse of Queen Anne Replica Touch Piece Medallion Presentation Card
Queen Anne Replica Touch Piece Medallion in Presentation Card |
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