• Gold coin

Curatorial Notes:

• In medieval alchemical theory, quicksilver often provided the basic ingredient for the stone. Small quantities of the precious metals, gold and silver, were necessary to complete the work, through a process known as fermentation. In alchemical imagery, this process is commonly depicted as the wedding of Sun and Moon, mediated by Mercury.

Credit Line:

• Modern sample courtesy of Lawrence M. Principe

Identifier:

• ark:/88435/dcqr46rb13b