918PJL

ITALY, Venice, lead Theriac box seal. Theriac - the magic elixir

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Medals & Tokens Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:120.00 - 150.00 USD
ITALY, Venice, lead Theriac box seal.  Theriac - the magic elixir
All ITEMS SOLD AT AUCTION ARE GUARANTEED TO BE GENUINE, AND ARE A UNDER LIFETIME MONEY BACK RETURN POLICY IF PROVEN OTHERWISE.
Theriac is a derivative of Mithridatium that was created by Mithridates VI of Pontus. Mithridates was extremely concerned about being poisoned as had happened to so many of his family that he started developing a multi-element antidote. Once he took the throne he assigned court chemists to further his work. The Romans discovered his formulation upon subjugating his kingdom and onward the formula grew. Some ingredients -- viper flesh, opium, cinnamon, agarics, and gum arabic, it was mixed with honey and wine to complete the compounding process.

This "magic elixir" thrived even through medieval times and eventually the guilds of Venice became the sole creators and distributors. Just like the Coca-Cola logo assures you consistent taste, texture and consistency, these lead Theriac seals were a guarantee of authenticity.

The "Two Moors" variety is more common and we have not run across this apple variety.

For a good read do a Google search on Mithridatium or theriac lead seal.

25mm, 10.08 grams