Gold touchpiece issued by Charles II

Made:
1660-1685 in England

Gold touchpiece, given at the ceremony of healing by touch, issued by Charles II, English, 1664-1685

A touchpiece is a medal or token believed to cure disease by having been touched by one who can heal, in this case King Charles II. Those with royal blood were thought to have the God-given power of healing.

The Latin "Soli Deo Gloria" which means "Glory to God alone" testifies to this God-given power.

This touchpiece features a hole by which the coin can be worn as a necklace or amulet.

Details

Category:
Ethnography and Folk Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A40462
Materials:
gold (metal)
Measurements:
overall (lying flat): height = 1 mm x diameter = 24 mm, 0.004
type:
touchpiece
credit:
Loan, Wellcome Trust