Myths, Magic, and Medicine
Touched Coins
Touched coins are spiritual tools “touched” with power or charged with intention. They are then carried around or touched to transfer an effect. Amulets and talismans are similar spiritual tools.
Spiritual leaders who touched coins include:
- Emperor Vespasian of Ancient Rome
- Royals
- Nobles
- Church Members
In 1465, special “Angel Coins” were minted for this practice.
Pennies are considered a good luck charm in America. People commonly place them in their houses, under doormats, and inside of their shoes to bring good luck
Coins in Food
Many cultures across the world bake coins into cakes or sweets they serve during celebrations. Depending on the tradition, the person who gets the serving containing the coin will be blessed with luck or have their wishes granted. American colonists kept twice-bent silver coins inside of their butter churns to ward off black magic. At the time, folklore attributed most ailments to black magic cast by witches.
Coins in Water
“Throwing a wish into a wishing well” is a common practice using coins. After closing their eyes and reciting a wish, people toss coins into just about any open body of water. The coin carries the wish to the bottom and makes it come true. Silver coins placed below the mast or keeps of ships are believed to bring good luck during voyages.
Ancient Rome and Greece
As a funeral service, ancient Greeks would place a special coin called a “Charon’s obol” under the tongue of their dead. This coin paid greek demi-god Charon to move souls across the river Styx, much like bus fare. A second century myth played upon this tradition when the myth’s character Psyche traveled to the underworld. She is told to carry two coins in her mouth to pay Charon to take her there and back. Inspired mourners began placing two coins in the mouths of the dead in hopes their souls would return. Roman forums included a communal pit at their center. This pit served as a public portal between the worlds of the living and dead. Romans held an annual celebration around this portal. During the celebration, they threw coins into the pit to pay Charon for moving the previous year’s dead. Athenians placed a gold leaf in the mouths of their dead stamped with directions for navigating around the underworld. That way, the dead wouldn’t get lost in the afterlife.
Alchemy
Alchemy was the precursor to chemistry. Alchemists worked to create a “philosopher’s stone,” which was fabled to instill immortality and turn any metal into gold. Although they never created this magical stone, they discovered aqua regia, a strong acid capable of melting gold and platinum. Modern-day science can synthesize gold using nuclear fission, but this is highly impractical.
El Dorado
El Dorado is a fabled lost city of gold… only, it never existed! A Spanish fugitive named Juan Martinez falsely claimed he was taken there by its inhabitants. Martinez’s lie resulted in South American colonization as Europeans came in search of the golden city.
Silver Bullets
Silver bullets are fabled to kill supernatural creatures. This myth originated when a blessed silver bullet killed the Beast of Gévaudan, a wolf-life creature that terrorized France in the 1760s. This tale also inspired creatures called “werewolves.” Silver bullets are actually slower and less accurate than normal bullets. Today, the phrase “silver bullet” is used to indicate an effective weapon or medical treatment.