The strength of faith – the power of knowledge. Amulets and numismatic objects in the history of medicine

The exhibition illustrates the role of small objects – coins, amulets, medallions and medals – in the history of medicine. Visitors can trace their function from ancient Egypt to modern times, with a particular emphasis on the history of Kraków.

Since time immemorial, there has been a belief that objects which have been prescribed a magical power, whether due to the materials they were made from or the images, symbols and words placed on them, when worn near the body can protect the wearer and ward off evil. In this context, amulets and later coins with images of gods responsible for human wellbeing were popular. Even today, Asclepius and Hygeia remain recognisable symbols of Medicine and Pharmacology. The relationship between numismatics and medicine has also been of a less obvious nature. In medieval and early modern times, gold coins played the role of objects which transmitted a “healing touch”, and it was believed that many common types of coins could cure diseases. Medallions, amulets, and so-called ‘Caravaca crosses” (used to prevent cholera), which were inscribed with a complex system of acronyms, prayers, signs, and cult images, were worn or carried for protection. Doctors themselves were highly respected for their real ability to treat disease. From early modern times onwards, medals were made to honour and commemorate them. In the 19th and 20th centuries, medals became a testament to the development of medical institutions and the activities of medical associations. The exhibition presents objects from all the categories of the collections of the Numismatic Cabinet; in addition to coins and medals, these include devotional medals, badges, lapel pins, pharmacist’s vouchers, tokens, and other unclassified objects. The exhibition is supplemented with old prints and graphics as well as outstanding works of artistic handicrafts, such as pharmacists’ jars and tins, medicine chests, medical instruments, and many others. Visitors will also be able to see an ancient coin which passed through a human body! Most of these objects originate from the collections of the National Museum in Krakow, while the remainder are from the collections of the Museum of Krakow, the History of Medicine Museum at Jagiellonian University, the Jagiellonian University Museum, the Ossolineum, and from private collections.

Curator: Agnieszka Smołucha-Sładkowska
Coordinator: Ewelina Zając