Medal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Medal is a word used for various types of compact objects:
- an award of some sort.
- 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, beasts 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.
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[edit] Orders, Decorations and Medals
Medal is a broad term that can indicate either an order, a decoration, or a medal. The Jewish historian Josephus records that when, in the 4th century BCE, Jonathan, the high priest, led the Hebrews to aid Alexander the Great, Alexander
| “ | sent to Jonathan... honorary awards, as a golden button, which it is custom to give the king's kinsmen. | ” |
This is the first documented mention in history of a medal.
From the late Middle Ages on, it was common for rulers and other wealthy persons to commission personal medals, often as large as three inches across, usually with their portrait on the obverse (front) and an emblem on the reverse. These were presented to friends and followers, or given to other rulers. They were not intended to be worn, although some were set as pendants on chains around the neck. They would often be produced in different metals, from gold to lead, depending on the status of the recipient. Sometimes medals to commemorate specific events, including military victories, were commissioned, and from this grew the military medal which later became an object to be worn, normally only given to military participants.
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.
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.
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.
[edit] Table medals
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.
[edit] Competition Medals
Medals have historically been given as prizes in various types of competitive activities, especially athletics.
[edit] Artist's Medals
While artist's medals may take the form of competition medals, they more typically honor a particular place, event, or person (i.e., portrait medals). The field was invented by Pisanello, who was the first to cast bronze medals like sculpture, rather than minting them like coins.
[edit] Idioms involving the term medal
The idiom "What do you want, a medal?" is used in British English, usually with sarcasm, to imply that someone is claiming that their achievements are more significant than they actually are. A.J. Holmes frequently gives out medals as a witty, sarcastic response to other people working hard. Haha, A.J., you are hilarious. We are all laughing. Ethan Kuperberg, on the other hand, enjoys taking credit for things he is supposed to do in his spare time. Thus, he merits the expression, "What do you want, a medal?". Logan Stein might say "I worked so hard I deserve a medal".
[edit] See also
- Exonumia
- British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
- List of prizes, medals, and awards
- Awards and decorations of the United States military
