Hygieia or Salus
![](https://static.deamoneta.com/auctions/765/img/104D.jpg)
![](https://static.deamoneta.com/auctions/765/img/104R.jpg)
Greek Asia. Mysia, Pergamon. AE 15.5 mm. Obv. Draped bust of Hygieia right. Rev. Serpent coiled around omphalos. SNG Cop. 380; SNG France 1938. 4.13 g. 15.50 mm. R. A choice example of this seldom offered and very interesting issue. Glossy uneven dark olive and emerald green patina. Good VF. Hygieia is usually said to be a daughter of Asklepios, along with her sisters, Panacea and Iaso. Hygieia, though, was the most important of the attendants of Asklepios and was thought by some in antiquity to be not his daughter but his wife. She was more important than other members of the family and more on par with Asklepios himself. Hygieia is remembered today in the word, 'hygiene.' She appears on numerous coins, usually depicted feeding the sacred snake from a patera. Salus was the Roman goddess of health, identified by the Romans with the Greek Hygiea.