Obverse Image: Capped bust of Liberty facing right.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1797
Reverse Image: Heraldic eagle, clouds and stars above.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / E PLURIBUS UNUM
Description
Although dated 1797, this coin was probably minted in the following year. Early United States coins do not always bear the year in which they were struck. The annual visit of yellow fever to Philadelphia, and to the U.S. Mint there, imparted a disjointed quality to our early numismatics.
What is definitely known is that Robert Scot was responsible for the designs. His new, bellicose eagle is a direct reflection of increased national tensions with the British and French. This particular coin is unique.
"AMYLUM" is another name for starch found in the seeds, roots and tubers of plants. It is used to thicken liquids and bind ingredients. In the eighteenth century it was used in enemas to curb diarrhea.
Pharmaceutical historian George Urdang attributes the containers 1991.0664.0760 through 1991.0664.0825 to the town of Hanau in the late 18th century based on the floral design surrounding the medallion and, the initials "HN" on the bottom of many of the jars in the series. However, in a letter to museum curators dated August 1983, the pharmaceutical historian Wolfgang-Hagen Hein wrote that the containers without initials and those marked "FH" were made in Florsheim in the German state of Hesse twenty-three miles southwest of Hanau.
Drug jars often came with blank shields or cartouches. When the contents of the jars were refilled with different ingredients the apothecary wrote the name of the new formula on the medallion.
George Urdang author of The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue attributes the containers 1991.0664.0760 through 1991.0664.0825 to the town of Hanau in the late 18th century based on the blue and purple floral design surrounding the white medallion and the initials HN on the bottom of many of the jars in the series. However, in a letter to museum curators dated August 1983, the pharmaceutical historian Wolfgang-Hagen Hein wrote that the containers without initials, and those marked FH were made in Florsheim in the German state of Hesse just twenty-three miles southwest of Hanau.
This drug jar is marked SANGUIS HIRCI. Sanguis Hirci in Latin translates to blood and goat respectively.
Pharmaceutical historian George Urdang attributes containers 1991.0664.0760 through 1991.0664.0825 to Hanau in the late 18th century based on the floral design surrounding the medallion and the initials HN on the bottom of many of the jars in the series. However, in a letter to museum curators dated August 1983, the pharmaceutical historian Wolfgang-Hagen Hein wrote that the containers without initials and those marked FH were made in Florsheim in the German state of Hesse.
This jar is marked "SEM.PhELLAND: AQ". The Phellandrium plant is found in Europe. It's seeds are crushed into a powder, and used for a variety of ailments including headache, asthma, and coughs.
George Urdang author of The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue attributes the containers 1991.0664.0760 through 1991.0664.0825 to Hanau in the late 18th century based on the floral design surrounding the medallion and the initials "HN" on the bottom of many of the jars in the series. However, in a letter to museum curators dated August 1983, historian Wolfgang-Hagen Hein wrote that the containers without initials and those marked "FH" were made in Florsheim in the German state of Hesse.
This jar is marked "PIPER CUBELA". Piper in Latin refers to pepper or chili. George Urdang author of The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue attributes the containers 1991.0664.0760 through 1991.0664.0825 to Hanau in the late 18th century based on the floral design of blue and purple flowers and green leaves surrounding the medallion. The initials "HN" appear on the bottom of many of the jars in this series. However, in a letter to museum curators dated August 1983, pharmaceutical historian Wolfgang-Hagen Hein wrote that the containers without initials and those marked "FH" were made in Florsheim in the German state of Hesse.
This drug jar is marked "AMYGD DULC", and would have contained Amygdala, the oil from almonds and Dulcamera which refers to Nightshade a narcotic. Both were used as a sedative, antispasmodic and expectorant.
George Urdang author of The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy, attributes containers 1991.0664.0760 through 1991.0664.0825 to Hanau in the late 18th century based on the floral design surrounding the medallion and the initials "HN" on the bottom of many of the jars in the series. However, in a letter to museum curators dated August 1983, pharmaceutical historian Wolfgang-Hagen Hein wrote that the containers without initials and those marked "FH" were made in Florsheim in the German state of Hesse.
This early 19th-century ceramic apothecary jar bears the label CORNU CERVIUS. It would have contained which is Latin for Deer Horn. Calcium phosphate from stag horns was used in spirits or tinctures as a general tonic, diaphoretic, sedative, antispasmodic, or antacid. The text is surrounded by a yellow oval which is decorated with a garland of flowers at the top and a green wreath at the bottom.
A Garland of blue and purple flowers with green leaves frames an oval medallion outlined in yellow and black. The jar has a flared lip and foot with an overall-white-gray glaze.Marked, "EXTR TRIFOLII"
Urdang attributes the containers 1991.0664.0760 through 1991.0664.0825 to Hanau in the late 18th century based on the floral design surrounding the medallion and the initials HN on the bottom of many of the jars in the series. However, in a letter dated August 1983, the pharmaceutical history scholar Wolfgang-Hagen Hein believes the unmarked containers and those marked FH were made in Florsheim in the German state of Hesse.
This drug jar marked "TUTIAE PULVER" would have contained a powder substance including zinc,copper, and lead which was made into an emollient. Pharmaceutical historian George Urdang attributes the containers 1991.0664.0760 through 1991.0664.0825 to Hanau in the late 18th century based on the floral design surrounding the medallion and the initials "HN" on the bottom of many of the jars in the series. However, in a letter to museum curators dated August 1983, the pharmaceutical historian Wolfgang-Hagen Hein wrote that the containers without initials and those marked "FH" were made in Florsheim in the German state of Hesse.
Drug jars often came with blank shields or cartouches. When the contents of the jars were refilled with different ingredients the apothecary would write the name of the new formula on the medallion.
Urdang attributes the containers 1991.0664.0760 through 1991.0664.0825 to the town of Hanau in the late 18th century based on the blue and purple floral design surrounding the white medallion and the initials HN on the bottom of many of the jars in the series. However, in a letter to museum curators dated August 1983, the pharmaceutical history scholar Wolfgang-Hagen Hein believes those without initials and those marked FH were made in Florsheim in the German state of Hesse just twenty-three miles southwest of Hanau.
This teapot-shaped majolica syrup jar has a tin lid and a white tin glazed background with yellow, blue and black decorative motifs including the unusual addition of the staff of Asclepius, a familiar symbol of the medical profession. A blue glazed rectangle in the center of the container is marked “SYP CHAMOM” in the cold paint technique. The jar would have contained the syrup of chamomile, used as a tonic, diaphoretic, antiseptic, digestive, and aperients a mild laxative. Urdang attributes the jar to Offenbach in the Rhine River Valley of Germany.