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Alexander Fleming’s ‘Mold That Made Penicillin’ Sells for Record $76,000
BY ALBERT CHEN
In a landmark auction event, a medallion featuring the original mold used in Alexander Fleming’s groundbreaking discovery of penicillin sold for a record $76,000 at Bonhams History of Science and Technology sale in New York on October 23. The medallion, one of a select few made by Fleming himself, was inscribed with the words: “The mould that first made penicillin / Alexander Fleming.”
This sale set a new auction record for a Fleming mold medallion, surpassing a previous sale of a similar medallion in 2016, which sold for $46,000
The medallion was one of several created by Fleming as tokens of his discovery, a breakthrough that would change the course of modern medicine. Most of these medallions were gifted to prominent figures of the time, such as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.
According to Darren Sutherland, Bonhams’ Senior Specialist of Fine Books and Manuscripts, “Fleming’s discovery of penicillin changed the course of human history—furnishing medicine with the ability to completely cure many diseases and infections. As part of one of the most important medical advancements, which has saved an incalculable number of lives, it’s no wonder that this sample of Fleming’s wonder drug attracted global interest and set a new record.”
The Discovery That Changed Medicine Forever
The story of penicillin began in 1928 when Alexander Fleming, a Scottish bacteriologist, accidentally discovered the antibiotic properties of mold. After returning from a vacation, Fleming noticed that a petri dish in his laboratory, which he had left out, had developed a mold that killed surrounding bacteria. This mold, later identified as Penicillium notatum, was found to secrete a substance that inhibited the growth of bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause serious infections in humans. Fleming named this substance “penicillin,” setting the stage for what would become one of the most significant medical discoveries of the 20th century.
Fleming’s initial work laid the foundation, but it would take over a decade before penicillin could be effectively used in medical treatments. Fleming, while convinced of penicillin’s potential, faced challenges in isolating and producing the drug in large quantities. It wasn’t until World War II, when the urgent need for effective treatments for infected wounds became paramount, that a team of scientists, including Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain, succeeded in developing a method to mass-produce penicillin. With funding from the U.S. and British governments, these efforts transformed penicillin into a drug capable of treating soldiers on the frontlines and patients around the world.
A Legacy of Life-Saving Impact
The widespread use of penicillin changed the face of medicine, ushering in the age of antibiotics and saving countless lives. Penicillin enabled doctors to treat infections that were once deadly, including pneumonia, scarlet fever, and sepsis. This breakthrough has since paved the way for the development of other antibiotics, transforming healthcare by significantly reducing mortality rates from bacterial infections.
Fleming’s work earned him a Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1945, shared with Florey and Chain, for their collaborative efforts in the development and production of penicillin. Fleming remained humble about his discovery, often emphasizing that it was a matter of chance. He cautioned against the misuse of antibiotics, foreseeing the potential for antibiotic resistance—a reality that has become an increasing concern in modern healthcare.
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