 Since the reign of Edward IV ( r . 1461 – 1470 , 1471 – 1483 ) , monarchs presented the diseased with a gold medal known as touch piece and hung it around the subject 's neck . The reverse of the medal depicted a ship , while the obverse showed the archangel Michael slaying a dragon , which led to the medal being popularly referred to as an Angel . The diseased were instructed to wear the medal constantly to ensure the success of the treatment . Not all people embraced the notion of the royal touch and miraculous medals ; many were simply eager to obtain the medal , which was then sold on the market . 
