Eimer 1472, BHM 2509.
70mm. Silver. By L.C Wyon.
Obverse with two figures standing facing, one in eastern attire, one in ancient attire, holding pharmaceutical implements, flanking garland entwined tablet. Reverse with 7 line inscription within wreath. Edge engraved 'Sydney Smith - Practical Chemistry - 1909'.
Good Extremely Fine with attractive toning and housed in fitted case of issue (clasp broken).
Sydney Smith (27th Sept 1886 - 23rd May 1962), Chemist, was most well-known for Digoxin, a medication used to treat various heart conditions and one of the oldest medications used in the field of cardiology. In 1930, Digoxin was first isolated by Dr. Sydney Smith from the foxglove plant, Digitalis lanata. Initially, the Digoxin was purified by dissolving the dried plant material in acetone and boiling the solution in chloroform. The solution was then reacted with acetic acid and small amount of ferric chloride and sulfuric acid (Keller reaction). Digoxin was distinguishable from other glucosides by the olive-green coloured solution produced from this reaction, completely free of red. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines and in 2020, it was the 237th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.