Hortus Medicus (1683- ), the botanic garden of the University of Amsterdam, was founded in 1682 by a decree of the Amsterdam City Council. The garden was planted in 1683. It is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, created primarily to serve as an herb garden for doctors and apothecaries, and to heal the city after the bubonic plague. The first tokens that gave admission to the garden for physicians, surgeons and chemists were sold in 1684.
- Token
Brass. Netherlands 1684. Unsigned. Ticket of admission to the Botanic Gardens in Amsterdam for surgeons and physicians.
- Size
40 mm
- Artist
Unknown.
- Obverse
Vase of flowers with Amsterdam coat of arms on front, supported on a scroll, on upper edge of which 16 84 (date divided by the vase); below, initials of a ticket holder, H.V.B. incused; in a curve at left and right, HORTUS MEDICUS with a rosette before.
- Reverse
A skeleton with scythe in right hand; left resting on tomb and holding hourglass; on ground at left and right, tulips.
- Ref
Freeman 850 (except size); Storer 3861 (except metal)
