Q I’d like to know something about a medal that pictures a classically dressed woman with a serpent entwined around her arms as she holds a bowl. The bowl says ”American Medical Association, Boston 1906” on the front and ”The Whitehead & Hoag Co., Newark, N.J.” on the back. The medal is attached to a ring and hung on a green ribbon with gold letters that says ”Guest, A.M.A.” What can you tell me about it?

A This medal pictures Hygieia, the goddess of health, seated with her right hand holding a patera (shallow bowl). The bowl with an entwined serpent is the symbol of pharmacy. Whitehead & Hoag was founded by Benjamin Whitehead and Chester Hoag in 1892. The company had a lucrative business making medals and badges for organizations. It was sold to Bastian Bros. of Rochester, New York, in 1959. Although production ended, the Whitehead & Hoag trade name was kept until 1965. If you want to sell the medal, search online for a numismatic store, club, or auction near you.

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