Quick answer: A medal hangs from a ribbon and marks an achievement, a finish or a placement, while a medallion is a larger commemorative piece that is displayed, presented in a case or worn on a chain. Medal is not short for medallion: Merriam-Webster and Etymonline both trace medallion to the Italian medaglione, a large medal, so the longer word grew out of the word for medal.
Medals and medallions look similar at first glance, but they serve different purposes. Knowing the difference helps you order the right piece, whether you are recognizing a tournament field, a race, or a company milestone.
Medals vs Medallions: The Short Answer
Is medal short for medallion? No. According to Merriam-Webster and Etymonline, medallion comes from the French médaillon, from the Italian medaglione, a large medal, which is built on medaglia, the Italian word for medal. Neither dictionary derives medal from medallion. If you are ordering either one, start with our custom medals page.
A medal marks an achievement; a medallion commemorates. A medal hangs from a neck ribbon or a pin-back attachment and marks a finish, a placement or a service. A medallion is a larger commemorative piece that is displayed, presented in a case, or worn on a heavy chain. At CCA the sizes overlap: custom medals run from 1-1/4 to 5 inches, and the MVP Medallion Chain carries a 5 inch medallion. The real difference is use and presentation, not size.
| Item | How it is worn or displayed | Typical use | Example | CCA page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medal | Worn on a neck ribbon or a pin-back attachment | Placement, finishing or service, usually for a whole team or field | Tournament placement medal or race finisher medal | Custom medals |
| Display medallion | Kept in a velvet-lined display box or an engraved presentation case, or on a magnetic display | Commemoration, milestones and single presentations | Company anniversary piece presented in a case | Custom medals |
| Medallion chain | Worn on a chain | Recognizing one standout player | MVP Medallion Chain with a 5 inch medallion | MVP Medallion Chain |
| Championship chain | Worn as an oversized award necklace on a heavy link chain | Championship awards | Large personalized sports medallion on a heavy link chain | Championship chains |
If athletes will wear it on a podium, order medals. If one person receives it and keeps it on a desk or shelf, order a medallion in a presentation case. If your MVP should wear it, a medallion chain does both. To see what your choice costs, use the medal cost estimator.
What Is a Medal?
A medal is a piece of metal awarded for an achievement, a finish, a placement or service, and it is made to be worn, usually on a neck ribbon. Races, tournaments and academic programs give medals to a whole field or team. CCA's Elite custom medals are die struck, run from 1-1/4 to 5 inches, and can hang from a neck ribbon or a pin-back attachment.
What Is a Medallion?
A medallion is, in the dictionary sense, a large medal, made to commemorate rather than to mark a placement. It may celebrate an anniversary, honor a milestone or mark a single presentation, and it is usually displayed or presented in a case rather than hung from a ribbon. Some medallions are worn: the MVP Medallion Chain carries a 5 inch medallion on a chain, and championship chains are oversized custom award necklaces with a large personalized sports medallion on a heavy link chain.
Medals, Medallions and Challenge Coins
Challenge coins often end up on the same shortlist, which is why the three get mixed up. The simplest way to sort them is by what the recipient does with the piece: a medal hangs from a ribbon, a medallion goes in a case or on a chain, and a challenge coin is a coin that is handed over and kept. If a coin suits your group better than a medal, see our custom challenge coins.
4 Key Differences Between Medals and Medallions
1. Size
Because a medallion is a large medal by definition, most people expect it to be bigger. At CCA the ranges overlap: custom medals cover 1-1/4 to 5 inches, and the MVP Medallion Chain carries a 5 inch medallion. Size is a hint, but use and presentation decide which one you are ordering.
2. Function
Medals are earned. They recognize a specific achievement, a finish or an act of service. Medallions are commemorative. They mark an occasion or honor a milestone. A medal answers "what did you accomplish?" while a medallion answers "what are we remembering?"
3. Shape
Shape does not separate the two either. CCA custom medals come in round, star or shield shapes, or a completely custom silhouette, so a medal does not have to be round.
4. Accessories
Accessories show the intended use most clearly. For wearing, the options are neck ribbons and pin-back attachments. For keeping, they are magnetic display, velvet-lined display boxes and engraved presentation cases. A medallion that is meant to be worn goes on a heavy link chain, as on a championship chain.
A Brief History
The word history is where the two dictionaries agree. Etymonline traces medallion to the French médaillon of the 17th century, and Merriam-Webster gives 1658 as the first known use of medallion. Closer to home, CCA medals are made in the USA, in Columbia, South Carolina, where the company has made them since 1940.
When to Choose Which
Choose a medal when you are recognizing achievement in a competitive or service setting, such as races, tournaments or academic honors. Choose a medallion when you are commemorating an event, an anniversary or a company milestone and the piece will be displayed or presented in a case. Choose a medallion chain when one standout player should wear the award. When in doubt, think about how the recipient will use it: if they will wear it on a ribbon, it is a medal; if they will display it or wear it on a chain, it is a medallion. Check the published prices on the custom medals page, or request a free quote.
Questions Buyers Also Ask
Is medal short for medallion?
No. Merriam-Webster and Etymonline both trace medallion to the Italian medaglione, a large medal, which is built on medaglia, the Italian word for medal. Medallion grew out of the word for medal, not the other way around.
What is the difference between a medal and a medallion?
A medal hangs from a ribbon and marks an achievement, a finish or a placement. A medallion is a larger commemorative piece that is displayed, presented in a case or worn on a chain.
Is a medallion bigger than a medal?
Usually, since the word itself means a large medal. At CCA the sizes overlap, though: custom medals run from 1-1/4 to 5 inches, and the MVP Medallion Chain carries a 5 inch medallion.
Can a medallion be worn on a chain?
Yes. The CCA MVP Medallion Chain carries a 5 inch medallion on a chain, and championship chains pair a large personalized sports medallion with a heavy link chain.
Which should a team or event order?
A team or a race field usually needs medals, one per athlete, on neck ribbons. A single standout, such as a tournament MVP, suits a medallion chain, and a milestone or anniversary suits a medallion presented in a case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for a corporate anniversary, a medal or a medallion?
A medallion is usually the better fit, because an anniversary is a commemoration and the piece is likely to be kept on a desk or shelf. An engraved presentation case or a velvet-lined display box suits it. A medal on a neck ribbon works better if the celebration includes a ceremony where people will wear their pieces.
What shapes can a custom medal be?
CCA custom medals come in round, star or shield shapes, or a completely custom silhouette. Shape does not decide whether a piece is a medal or a medallion; use does.
How much do custom medals cost, and how long do they take?
CCA publishes its prices on the site, and custom orders vary with the customization and design. Turnaround also depends on the customization and design, and CCA sometimes ships overnight. The custom medals page and the medal cost estimator are the places to check.
Will I see my design before it is made?
Yes. Every CCA medal order starts with a free digital proof, so you can check the design before production.
