Jacob Berzelius (1779-1848) earned a medical degree at Uppsala University in 1802. After briefly practicing medicine, he was appointed Professor of Chemistry at Karolinska Institute. In 1803, he discovered the electric dissociation of compounds into discrete portions. Later, he discovered four elements: cerium, silicon, selenium, and thorium. He also invented the modern notation of elements and chemical formulas, and coined the term “organic chemistry.” Berzelius served as Secretary of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences from 1818-1848.
- Medal
Bronze. Germany 1830. Signed. Lifetime. Commemorates his preparation of a table of atomic and molecular weights.
- Size
41 mm
- Artist
Wilhelm Kirchner, German medallist Wilhelm Kirchner, German medallist of the first half of 19th century, resided in Berlin and St. Petersburg. (Forrer 3, 162)
- Obverse
Nude bust to left; on truncation, W.KIRCHNER F.; below, G.LOOS DIR.; in a curve at top, IO. IAC. BERZELIVS with rosette on each side and in a curve below, NAT. OSTROGOTH.D.XX M.AVG.MDCCLXXIX.
- Reverse
A chemical scale with box of weights and tweezers; in a curve above, PONDERA ET NVMEROS INVERSTIGAVIT; in exergue, MDCCCXXX.
- Ref
Freeman 43; Storer 338; Nilsson 64
