World Coin Clinic: The Mysteries of Medals
World Coin Clinic offers advice on the appropriate wearing and display of military medals, along with details on the composition of Olympic medals.
Are there any coins on which the exact date they were struck appears?
The month of issue appears on 1689–1690 Irish gun money coins. However, the 1-million lira coins of Turkey from around 2002 to 2004 are dated to the exact Christian date each was minted. The number struck, and throughout the years, isn’t known for certain. The coins were struck at the Turkish State Mint in Istanbul by visiting tourists.
What is the proper protocol for a civilian wearing their military medals?
Retirees, honorably discharged individuals, and veterans can wear military medals on their left breast pocket at military-related events, holidays, and other appropriate occasions. Miniature medals are recommended to be worn on more formal occasions, with full-size medals to be worn otherwise. Lapel pins representing a single military decoration are also appropriate for civilian wear.
I have a collection of military medals. Any recommendations on how to display them?
There are many types of shadow boxes and display cabinets where military medals can be viewed. Generally, the highest honor should be at the top far left, with lesser honors following in their order of importance. Should you have both medals you or a family member earned and medals you have collected, it is appropriate to display the earned medals to the left, separated from the unearned medals to the right.
How much gold is in an Olympic Games gold medal?
The amount of gold in an Olympic Games first-place medal has changed over the years. Most recently, the gold medals have been composed of silver plated in gold. Currently, the International Olympic Committee requires gold medals to be made of at least sterling (.925 fine) silver and six grams of gold.
What is the metal composition of the silver and bronze 2024 Olympic medals?
The silver medals were required to be composed of sterling or .925 fine silver, while the bronze medals were made of an alloy of copper, tin, and zinc. All 2024 Olympic medals contain iron cut from girders and other parts of the Eiffel Tower, retrieved following renovations. Six clasps hold the pieces of iron in place on each medal.
Have Olympic medals always been awarded in gold, silver, and bronze?
First-place winners at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 received silver rather than gold medals. Solid gold first-place medals were awarded at the 1904 St. Louis Olympic Games. Gold-plated first-place medals were first presented during the 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games.
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