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

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

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

The British Victoria Cross medal, ribbon and bar

Military medal presented on parade. (Canada)

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Medals, Ribbons (36069)

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. more...

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Orders, decorations and medals

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.