Tokens: Civil War

A Medal is a word used for various types of compact objects: more...

Home
Bullion
Coins: Ancient
Coins: US
Coins: World
Exonumia
Elongated Coins
Encased Coins
Medals
Other
Tokens: Civil War
Tokens: Love
Tokens: Other
Tokens: Transit
Tokens: US Trade
World
Paper Money: US
Paper Money: World
Publications & Supplies
Scripophily

a wearable medal awarded by an authority government for services rendered, especially to a country (such as Armed force service); strictly speaking this only refers to a medal of coin-like appearance, but informally the word also refers to an Order (decoration);; a table medal awarded by an organization for services in a specific field (such as the Nobel Prize or the Carnegie Hero Medal);; a medal awarded to winners (usually Gold medal) and runners-up (usually Silver medal is for second place, Bronze medal is for third place, but variations exist, e.g. silver-gilt for third -, bronze for fourth place) of sporting, academic, artistic and other competitions for men, beast and even objects (and their owners), e.g. in gardening as organized by the Royal Horticultural Society.;

Some medals are however issued, either by official authorities or privately, on a large scale, often for sale (some largely meant to raise funds by the proceeds, even as a commercial enterprise) not as an individual distinction but rather as a souvenir, commemoration or other use without numerical limitation, such as devotional medals.;

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Medal is a broad term that can indicate either an order, a decoration, or a medal. In the 4th century BCE, the Jewish scholar Josephus recorded Jonathan, the high priest, lead the Hebrews to aid Alexander the Great. To reward the Hebrews' aid, Alexander

This is the first documented mention in history of a medal.

An order is perhaps the most elaborate form of medals, typically awarded for distinguished services to a nation or to humanity. An order differs from other forms of medal in that it often implies a membership of an organization. This is because orders were originally fraternities of knighthood (see Order (decoration); even today most orders have several classes, known as knights, commanders, officers, members et cetera. These "medals" (or insignia) of the orders are usually very elaborate, and can be worn in different ways depending on class.

For a full treatment on orders, see Order (decoration).

A decoration is a less elaborate form of medal, typically shaped like a cross or a star. It is usually awarded for one-off actions of some type, and is usually worn with a ribbon on the left chest. The Victoria Cross is the highest British decoration for bravery in war. This decoration is worn on the left side suspended by a ribbon.

A medal is usually the most junior of all the awards, usually shaped like a circle or otherwise like a coin. It is usually awarded for participation in a particular organization, but it may also be for one-off actions of some kind. In the latter case, the boundary between a medal and decoration is blurred. A medal is usually worn with a ribbon on the left chest.

Read more at Wikipedia.org