Name/Title
Touch piece and touch passDescription
Tuberculosis has plagued both England and France for centuries and in both countries kings were believed to be divine and to possess curative abilities. From the time of Edward the Confessor in 10th century England kings could cure the "The King's Evil," or scrofula (glandular tuberculosis), by touching the sufferer with a gold coin. This gold healing coin was used by British King Charles II (1660-1684) more than 100,000 people and given to a sufferer of scrofula after being healed by the King. The coin, the equivalent of 10 shillings worth 22 carats gold, was then to be worn around the neck with a silk ribbon. "Touching" ceremonies were held in the Banqueting House of the Palace of Whitehall. On the opposite side of a three masted sailing ship is the image of the angel Michael spearing a recumbent dragon at his feet.
BELOW - a royal touch pass was needed to attend a royal healing ceremony conducted by King Henry II. They were identical to the gold touch piece but made of an inner brass core and an outer brass collar. Each coin received a scratch on the reverse side at admission. Below is an image of a gathering to witness the miraculous cure of "The King's Evil" along with a portrait of King Charles II of England.Condition
Overall Condition
GoodDate Examined
Jul 11, 2026Create Date
July 12, 2026Update Date
August 31, 2026
