Difference between medals and coins – 4 key features
The main difference between medals and coins lies in their official status. Coins generally have a face value and are issued by a state or officially authorized mint. Medals, on the other hand, usually do not have legal tender status and are often minted for commemorative, artistic, or collector’s purposes.
This distinction is important for collectors because coins and medals are often valued differently on the market. However, not only face value and issuing authority are decisive, but also material, design, minting quality, condition, rarity, and actual demand.
