Medal

A Medal can mean three things:

Table medal

Generally circular, table medals are issued for artistic, commemeration or souvenir purposes, not for commerce. Tokens and Table Medals are part of the Exonumia subcategory of Numismatics, while Orders, Decorations and Medals are considered Militaria (military related). In the U.S. Military, modern medals are often referred to as challenge coins.

Related Topics:
Token - Exonumia - Numismatic - Militaria - U.S. Military - Challenge coins

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The Nobel Foundation, the organization awarding the prestigious Nobel Prize, presents each winner "an assignment for the amount of the prize, a diploma, and a gold medal..." This example of a medal would be displayed, on a table or in a cabinet, rather than worn by the winner.

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The Carnagie Hero Foundation is the issuer of a bravery medal, most commonly issued in the US and Canada but also in the UK. This large bronze table medal features Andrew Carnegie's likeness on the obverse and the name of awardee and citation engraved on reverse. It is usually issued for lifesaving incidents.

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Also related are plaques and plaquettes. While usually metal, table medals have been issued in wood, plastic, fibre and other compositions. The US Government awards gold medals on important occasions, with bronze copies available for public sale.

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