I keep seeing all these commemorative medals crop up on Ebay and in antique shops, for the death of George III, the death of Princess Charlotte, the Battle of Corunna, etc. Big ones, small one, gold ones and bronze ones.

What did people actually DO with these things? Just chuck 'em in a drawer and let the grandchildren play with them? Were these like an early Franklin Mint souvenir piece?

Forgive me, but the utility of these things baffles me.

Louisa
Mistress of the Garderobe