What are Medals? Medals are a division of numismatics called exunomia. Second thing to know is there are different kinds of medals: 1. Medal 2. Medallion 3. Plaque 4. Military Decoration 5. Reigious ornaments 6. Bac Most Dictionaries and encyclopedias agree, "A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering." A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific, academic, or various other achievements. Medals may also be created to commemorate particular individuals or events. The main or front surface is termed the obverse, and may contain a portrait, pictorial scene or other image along with an inscription. The reverse, or back surface of the medal, is not always used and may be left blank or may contain a secondary design. It is not uncommon to find only an artistic rendering on the obverse, while all details and other information for the medal are inscribed on the reverse. The rim is found only occasionally employed to display an inscription such as a motto, privy mark, engraver symbol, assayer's marking or a series number. Most Medals are not dated, but a few bear a date. The following medals were issued by Darmstadt, Hess-Darmstadt or by a neighboring Free Satadt or nearby country. The following medals commemorate: 1. an event, 2. a person who is a relative of the family, or 3. a dignatary such as king or queen who visited Darmstadt. All images are courtesy of Coin Archives (coinarchives.com): In 1659 this silver Medal valued at 1/8 Reichsthaler was issued in 1659 to honor Anna Eleonore von Hessen-Darmstadt: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=984914&AucID=916&Lot=1852&Val=f89204a449a8830fd60afae2dec67879 Circa 1671-1682 bronze Medal honoring Friedrich von Hessen-Darmstadt: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1017231&AucID=938&Lot=1551&Val=407ba1d0ea6fa27de6599a2c43d54bd1 1730 silver Medal for 200th Anniversary of Augsburger Konfession: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1017329&AucID=938&Lot=1649&Val=b59ea514c1aef5670bce46f4f35bf25f 1740 Gold Medal (value of 1 Dukat) - A Hirschdukat issued by Lidwig VIII: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1008292&AucID=932&Lot=1679&Val=ca2369243a93142338de2f5ccfe08d01 Ludwig VIII also authorized this Silver Medal in 1740 beaeing the Spiegel monogram: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=986174&AucID=916&Lot=3112&Val=359cdfa7d22258e965b58958aa7d1ef7 1818 silver Medal: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1017332&AucID=938&Lot=1652&Val=6be3ec3410c6667d78d383fe9d52f9ca 1841 silver Ruble honoring Czar Alexander II and Maria Alexandrowna, Princess von Hessen-Darmstadt (St. Petersburg Mint): http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1002967&AucID=930&Lot=7394&Val=f19cab3a1d8416bcb367624ab5039092 1844 41.7mm silver Medal honoring Alice: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1017338&AucID=938&Lot=1658&Val=e14a41a4ae815f327464ac0c3ac27823 1892 Silver Medal Commemorative: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1017339&AucID=938&Lot=1659&Val=33a7166e256deb7feeebbed0203ed228 1896 Silvered Bronze Medal (minted at St. Petersburg, Russia): http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=980222&AucID=912&Lot=499&Val=cb3238d9346bc489582f8da8f6042e7d Hope you enjoyed seeing these medals... Clinker
Sure did. :thumb: While I am not really into medals as a collector, some of these are beautiful. The "Hirschdukat" is an interesting piece also because of its background: Ludwig VIII of Hesse-Darmstadt was a big fan of hunting, and he actually had such pieces made to commemorate hunting parties ... Christian
Oh, and I should have added that I enjoyed your two other posts about Darmstadt coins too. So please consider this to be a Thank You for all three. Christian
I collect British Military medals from the Crimea War, Boer War, WWI,WWII, and colonial campaigns. most are sterling silver and the recipient is named on the edge.
