What is the difference between a token and a medal?

BillyKingsley

Like I've said a few times, I am still new at this and therefor still learning. I honestly don't know and would like to. Thanks!

rooksmith

not again !! ---

OK - that which is not a coin or bullion is a token. Sorry for the short def.

if it doesnt have a date on it (from a recognized governement which issues coins) ... its a token!

But tokens arent all bad! in fact tokens are underappreciated, except it they are famous or downright beautiful, which many are!!!!

Zoins

Are sales tax tokens really coins?

edix2001

A token has a monetary value, IIRC.

Medallic pieces:

Medalet - Round - up to 25mm
Medal - Round - 26mm to 80mm
Medallion- Round - 81mm to 30.5cm (usually two-sided)
Circular Relief - Round - over 30.5cm (usually one-sided)
Tondo - Round - over 30.5cm (used architecturally)

cladking

There's no widespread agreement on this but I believe that the most
sensible definition is that a token represents something such as curren-
cy, a fare, love, or a free play while a medal commemorates something
like an event, person or place.

Generally medals are larger and heavier and don't circulate while tokens
will change hands at least once to serve their function.

Some people use the word medalion for large medals but I prefer to sim-
ply call them large medals or mention their size (like 3").

There are a few items which are hybrids to sime extent such as munici-
pal trade currency. These are usually sold to people and are good for
50c or a dollar in a city for a limited time. They are technically tokens but
since most never change hands I tend to consider them more like medals.

Most exonumia will fit cleanly in one definition or the other.

cladking

<< <i>Are sales tax tokens really coins? >>



Yes. They are currency issued by a government authority and were
used as money. The Secret Service caused the states to quit issuing
them on this basis; that they were coins.

DUIGUY

medal;


medal;


medal/token;


token;


tokens;


medal;

Dentuck

Here are a couple articles on tokens and medals:

"A Marvelous Introduction to U.S. Tokens and Medals," by Q. David Bowers

Collecting Tokens and Medals: “Coin-Like Objects Made of Metal” Offer New Worlds to Collectors, by Katherine Jaeger

orie

Are all so- called-dollars medals or are their a few that were used for monetary purpose, therefore, tokens? Is a Lesher Dollar a medal or a token or both?

tincup

<< <i>Are all so- called-dollars medals or are their a few that were used for monetary purpose, therefore, tokens? Is a Lesher Dollar a medal or a token or both? >>




These would fall into the hybrid category that cladking mentioned. Also as mentioned, there is no wide spread agreement. I myself view tokens as being intended as a medium of exchange of some sort.

ricko

Medal - commemorates a person or event.
Token - medium of exchange, possibly in conjunction with an event.
No hard and fast rule, there are those that blur the lines ..... the above is just a 'rule of thumb'... Cheers, RickO

MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>Medal - commemorates a person or event.
Token - medium of exchange, possibly in conjunction with an event.
No hard and fast rule, there are those that blur the lines ..... the above is just a 'rule of thumb'... Cheers, RickO >>


I think that is a good 'rule of thumb'.

tmot99

I agree with ricko and tincup.

Token: value or for trade.
Medal: A decorative piece of metal which was sometimes given out as awards, but frequently are souvenirs for an event, person, place, or thing. Range in size from 0 on up.

SCDs are typically classified as medals because, in general, they have no monetary value. There are exceptions to this though like Lesher Dollars.

NGC tends to follow these definitions too. Even my 10mm medals from WCE are classified as medals.

BillyKingsley

Thanks! That answered my question completly. I have been wondering about this for some time, and my curiosity was peaked when I posted this medal I found, and referred to it as a token. I was told rather, ahh...brusquely that it was a medal, not a token, and I said to myself someday I am going to ask.





Thanks again. Now to read those articles!