Medal Publique Deposited
A piece coined for the purpose of commemorating some historical event, or as an award for personal merit. It is never intended to pass for money.
Various derivations of the word are given. Sealiger derives it from the Arabic Methalia, a sort of coin with a head upon it, and Vossius states that it comes from Metallum, metal. The most probable etymology, however, is from the Italian medaglia, a term which can be traced to the fourteenth century, and which was applied to a coin outside of circulation, and valuable only for its historical or artistic features. See Schauthaler.
- Frey's Dictionary (American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 50, 1916)