Medals? Are They Part Of Numismatics?

But do you consider manhole covers to be numismatic items?

my grandfather had some man hole covers at his house, some dating back in the early 1900's and some without a date on them from various water companies. I wouldn't actually call my grandfather a collector as much as a hoarder. he did collect coins but he had absolutely no focus, as long as it was a coin he would keep it. I refer to those types of people a hoarder instead of a collector

Personally, no. Using my definition of "resemblance", a very large round metal thing (like a manhole cover or furphy) resembles a teeny tiny round metal thing (like a coin) only to the degree that they are both round and metal - that's not good enough for me. "Fitting in a 2x2" is my litmus test for "resembling a coin", since most coins fit in a 2x2.

These very large metal things also do not, to my knowledge, share the same "method of manufacture", that is, by striking with dies - I believe they are cast.

Yes, there are plenty of coins out there that are made by casting, just as there are plenty of coins out there that won;t fit in a 2x2. But these pass the numismatic test by being used as money.

Not money + not close enough resemblance + not die-struck = not numismatic.

But I'm perfectly happy for other folks to have a different "working definition" of numismatic than me, with a broader or narrower focus. There are some other guys in the same coin club who, personally, only collect coins, period - no medals, no tokens, no banknotes, nothing but coins.