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.A
Medal is a word used for various types of compact objects:
* a wearable medal awarded by an authority government for services redered, 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.
Medal is a broad term that can indicate either an
Order, Decoration, or Medal.
 |
Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Order of Canada and Order of Military Merit. Although a sovereign, Canadian Orders do not have higher knighthood ranks and the uppermost medals are worn from a neck ribbon or from a bow on the dress. |
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).
 |
Victoria Cross, Source: Veterans Affairs Canada |
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.
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Three different United States Medals of Honor currently exist, one each for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. |
The
Medal of Honor of the
United States armed forces is a bravery award worn around the neck, and may therefore be more rightly classified as a decoration. The
Awards and decorations of the United States military list this country's medals.
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Military medal presented on parade. (Canada) |
Medals, as well as orders and decorations, are usually presented in a formal ceremony. These awards are normally worn on formal occasions only; on everyday occasions, only the ribbons of such awards are worn.
Generally circular, table medals are issued for artistic, commemoration or souvenir purposes, not for commerce.
Tokens and Table Medals of coin-like appearance 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.
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.
The Carnegie 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 the awardee and citation engraved on the reverse. It is usually issued for lifesaving incidents.
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.
Medals have historically been given as prizes in various types of competitive activites, especially athletics.
*
Exonumia*
British and Commonwealth orders and decorations*
List of prizes, medals, and awards*
Awards and decorations of the United States military*
Atlantic Provinces Numismatic Association*
Official Medals of the Numismatic Associations and Clubs of the Atlantic Provinces*
Exonumia defined*
Orders, Decorations and Medals *
Nobel prize*
Most Comprehensive and Updated Listing of Orders, Decorations and Medals
