What´s the difference between coins and medals ?

There is actually two different assembly areas, even if a certain “relationship”between both isn´t to denials.

Coins are coined/shaped by the official embossing places on behalf the state and have payment strength. Are regular nominal and currency (= declared value e.g. 5 DM, 1000 lire, 20 dollars), embossing year and the embossing place (as symbol: Angel head for Brussels, as letter: F evidently to Stuttgart). Coins are a relatively good investment.

Medals are usually private coinages, sometimes however also from official side spent “plaques”. Medals do not possess payment strength and have therefore no declared value on it.

Most numismats don´t like collecting medals, although, also this hobby has his authorization. Unfortunately considerable coindealers offers there medals as coins, without a marking of medal. Also numismats fall again and again on medal and become these only often the metal value again loosely. This behavior of some dealers does not contribute to the better communication!