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A medal is a small metal object, usually engraved with insignia, that is awarded to a person for athletic, military, scientific, academic or some other kind of achievement. There also exist devotional medals, worn to indicate religious faith.

Medal of Cecilia Gonzaga, by Pisanello 1447. Medals like these were given to friends and other rulers

Medal is a broad term that can indicate either an order, a decoration, or a true 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. Later when an elaborate system of Roman military decorations and punishments was developed it included medal-like medallions called Phalerae.

Polish Colonel Stefan Szlaszewski in full dress uniform displaying several medals, 1938

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.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in full dress uniform displaying several medals and ribbons.

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 etc. 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).

The British Victoria Cross medal, ribbon and bar

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.

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.

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.

A medal on a ribbon designed to be worn around the winner's neck.

Medals have historically been given as prizes in various types of competitive activities, especially athletics.

Traditionally, medals are made of the following metals:

1. Gold (or another yellow metal, e.g. brass)
2. Silver (or another grey metal, e.g. steel)
3. Bronze

These metals designate the first three Ages of Man in Greek mythology: the Golden Age, when men lived among the gods; the Silver age, where youth lasted a hundred years; and the Bronze Age, the era of heroes. (The current age is called the Iron Age.) Note that the metals are progressively more prone to corrosion.

This standard was adopted at the 1904 Summer Olympics. At the 1896 event, silver was awarded to winners and bronze to runners-up, while at 1900 other prizes were given, not 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.

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.

Many medals, ribbons and awards on a single soldier are sometimes referred to as "Fruit-salad".

Numismatics Portal

• Exonumia
• British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
• List of prizes, medals, and awards
• Awards and decorations of the United States military
• Ribbon bar
• Military decoration
• Order of the Academic Excellency
• Category:Medallists for designers and makers of medals

• 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
• Weiss Collection; useful introduction to art medals and medallists
• Medals 1400-1900. Sculpture. Victoria and Albert Museum. Retrieved on 2007-09-22.