A large collection of 113 steel hubs (a.k.a. hobbs) used for producing medical insignia, tokens, and medals. Included in this lot are 42 nursing-related hubs many incorporating a caduceus symbol; 30 with hospital insignia; 17 dental-specific hubs; 25 medical. A hub (or hobb) is a piece of hardened tool steel into which has been pressed or cut a positive-reading design that will be made into a coin, medal, or piece of jewelry. The hub is pressed into a piece of dead soft tool steel to make a negative die which is hardened by heat and then used strike a piece of soft brass, gold, or silver to make the finished item. These were made by a professional die engraver in the Seattle area in the twentieth century and are now available as unique collectibles. You can use them as unique decorations or paperweights.Date: Country (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: