Ocular references on ancient coins

Abstract

AbstractAccording to the dictionary of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language, numismatics is the discipline that studies coins and medals, mainly ancient ones. In other places, this definition includes the study and collection of paper money or banknotes. The information we can obtain from coins with a minimum study of the aspects that appear on them is surprising. In relation to vision and ophthalmology, they show us important figures in the field, ocular symbology, they tell us about mythology and religion and curious stories that we would hardly have known without looking at the coins. Finally, we will talk about an important 19th century Valencian ophthalmologist, Rafael Cervera y Royo, and the collection of ancient coins that bears his name. This work is not intended to be an exhaustive description of all the coins and medals that speak of vision, but rather a sample of the valuable information that numismatics contributes to our speciality and to stimulate the public's curiosity about this fascinating science.