VENICE, Italy PB lead seal circa 17th century Venice, Theriac Capsule Seal - Produced by the Struzzo d'Oro pharmacy - VF / VF+

Theriac, described by Klein as a 'wonder drug', was an all purpose medicinal product originating as far back as the Hellenistic period. The centre for sale of this product was Venice, from where it was exported all over the world. Its composition, made up of opium, spices and snake flesh, amongst other ingredients, was a closely guarded secret, making it all the more desirable. The capsule seals, made exclusively of lead or lead alloy, indicated to the buyer, with the stamp of the pharmacy, the authentic nature of the product and to prevent inferior imitations (source: Roma Numismatics)

Obverse: THERIACA FINA AL STRUZZO DORO V, ostrich standing left, with small serpent in beak; in left field, the lion of St. Mark

Reverse: blanc

NOTE: sorry, but currently no more shipments to the USA due to continued import tariff problems

EU customers: orders over 125 euro are generally shipped via courier DHL Express

 

Shipping