For sale is a rare Albert Isiah Coffin Medical Botany Bronze Medallion Medal Dated Birmingham January 12th 1849.  Unusual to see this item for sale and outside of a museum.

I believe an example is currently held by the British Science Museum Group - (Their Item Reference is - A85989).

Measures roughly 6cm in diameter.

Maker - William Joseph Taylor & Sons.

Obverse Reads - Albert Isiah Coffin M.D Founder Of The System Of Medical Botany In England.

Reverse - This Medal Was Presented To Albert I Coffin M.D Professor Of Medical Botany. As A Sincere Testimonial Of Gratitude From His Friends In Birmingham Who Have Benefited By His System. Jan 12 1849. Very small writing to the bottom edges with makers mark for J Taylor & Sons. Unable to make out/recognise other words but they most likely relate to the maker.

Holed at the top. Some knocks to the edges as to be expected for its age. Writing remains fairly clear and readable on both sides. Makers marks harder to read due to writing size and patina. Some verdigris (as pictured) but nothing serious. Has been left uncleaned with verdigris so as not to damage it and remove the lovely patina.

Detailed Information:

In 1838 the American herbalist, Dr Albert Isaiah Coffin (1790–1866) arrived in Britain and toured the towns of northern England setting up medical botany societies where people could meet to learn and discuss his new form of medicine. Instead of paying the extortionate costs of conventional doctors his revolutionary message argued that by learning the secrets of medical botany every man could be his own doctor.

He sold cheap tracts in accessible language, at a penny a piece, describing his medical system which relied on the healing properties of various plants and his lectures and tracts were later extended into the book The Botanic Guide to Health (1845).

In addition to being affordable, Medical Botany or Coffinism was also popular due to its anti-establishment message. As a result it became linked with Chartists, Owenites and other radical political groups shown by the fact that the 1840s were the peak years of both the Chartist movement and medical botany. 

Both Coffins Herbal Botany and its political consequences were important factors in the creation of the 1858 Medical Act which created the General Medical Council to regulate doctors in the UK and avoid what the government saw as individuals such as Coffin practising ‘quack’ medicine.

A unique opportunity to own a rare piece of British medical & social history on a fascinating topic which was almost certainly actually handled by the man himself. A great addition and enhancement to any collection.