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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,474 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5177 Posts |
When looking for medals commemorating a certain event, I have found that most are the size of dollars ("so-called dollars") and halves ("so-called half dollars").
But I wonder, are there also quarter-sized commemorative medals? Would these still be called "medals", or "medallions", or "medallets", or...? Any examples? Any good references sources for these smaller medals?
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Moderator
 Australia
16810 Posts |
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Would these still be called "medals", or "medallions", or "medallets", or...? The classic definition, from Doty's Encyclopedic Dicitonary of Numismatics, is that "medal" is the general category, "medallion" is a large medal, and "medalet" is a small medal. On that basis, dollar-sized medals are "medallions", half-sized medals are just "medals", and quarter-sized medals are "medalets". I assume, since Doty is an American writer, that is is/was standard American usage of these terms. Here in Australia, the three words tend to be used much more interchangeably. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5239 Posts |
For medals/ medallions, bigger is better as the design can be larger and more visible. Hence it looks better. In my opinion, the smaller ones are made when there is mass distribution and cost is a bigger issue.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36678 Posts |
Both the above are great explanations.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12259 Posts |
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Are there also quarter-sized commemorative medals? Yes. They aren't the most popular size for medals, but they do exist. I just posted about a 25mm medal struck by the US Mint - you can read about it here: 1879 Grant Parade Medal By US Mint - and a 28mm privately-struck medal - 1930 Massachusetts Bay Colony 300th Anniversary - #2. Quote:
Would these still be called "medals", or "medallions", or "medallets", or...? Quarter-sized pieces would be called medals. The traditional size of medalet is 20mm and smaller. Medallion is a term traditionally used to describe large medals - typically 3" or larger. Medals is the term for pieces in between these endpoints. Marketers have been using the term "medallion" for their medal-size pieces for years to give them more prestige and perceived value. It's incorrect usage, but it has unfortunately pervaded the hobby. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5177 Posts |
Another confusing thing is that when you search say on Google for "medal" you often get military decorations as a result, which obviously has nothing to do with the numismatic term "medal".
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Moderator
Australia
16810 Posts |
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Another confusing thing is that when you search say on Google for "medal" you often get military decorations as a result, which obviously has nothing to do with the numismatic term "medal". There does seem to have arisen a general usage in the broader community of a distinction in intent between a "medal" and a "medallion", which is independent of their size: that a "medal" is given in recognition of having done something significant to deserve that medal, whereas a "medallion" is sold to tourists, or a memento given away for free. Thus, we have "war medals" and "Olympic gold medals" and "knighthood medals" all being given to worthy recipients, but "religious medallions" and "tourist medallions" are sold to anyone who wants one. You never hear anyone talk about either "Olympic medallions" or "religious medals". Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12259 Posts |
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Another confusing thing is that when you search say on Google for "medal" you often get military decorations as a result, which obviously has nothing to do with the numismatic term "medal". (Emphasis added.) This is inaccurate. Decorations (or hanging medals) are a defined category of numismatic medal. Google might not be returning the results you are hoping for, but it is returning valid results. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5177 Posts |
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This is inaccurate. Decorations (or hanging medals) are a defined category of numismatic medal. Google might not be returning the results you are hoping for, but it is returning valid results. Didn't know that. Thanks for the education. Any suggestions how to get the Google results I'm looking for? |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12259 Posts |
@NumisEd: You could try doing a more advanced Google search using the "+" or "-" logical operators. For example, numismatic medal -military would result in a more refined results list.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5177 Posts |
Thanks, didn't know about the minus operator.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,474 |
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Posted 09/13/2022 7:43 pm
