If you are looking into the physical phenomenon of a "crack" in solid metal, this is technically known as solidification cracking (or hot cracking).
| Medal Type | Value Loss from Crack | Notes | |------------|------------------------|-------| | Common modern participation medal | 80-100% | Essentially worthless; a crack turns it into scrap. | | Vintage military medal (common) | 50-70% | Buyers will only want it for the ribbon or provenance. | | Rare 19th-century exposition medal | 20-40% | If the crack is stable and the medal is rare, collectors may still bid. | | Error/mint-made cracked planchet | +100-300% | Added value if the crack occurred at the mint. |
Have you encountered a medal crack in your collection? Share your story and photos in the comments below. For professional crack assessment, contact a numismatic conservation lab near you.
Could you clarify:
There is perhaps no sound more disheartening to an athlete, a military veteran, or a dedicated collector than the almost imperceptible ping followed by a hairline fissure across the face of a cherished award. This phenomenon, colloquially known in the hobby as a , is more than just a cosmetic flaw. It is a fracture in history, a devaluation of asset, and a mystery of metallurgy that has plagued medal makers for centuries.
I’m unable to find or provide a specific article titled “medal crack.” It’s possible the phrase refers to:
If you are looking into the physical phenomenon of a "crack" in solid metal, this is technically known as solidification cracking (or hot cracking).
| Medal Type | Value Loss from Crack | Notes | |------------|------------------------|-------| | Common modern participation medal | 80-100% | Essentially worthless; a crack turns it into scrap. | | Vintage military medal (common) | 50-70% | Buyers will only want it for the ribbon or provenance. | | Rare 19th-century exposition medal | 20-40% | If the crack is stable and the medal is rare, collectors may still bid. | | Error/mint-made cracked planchet | +100-300% | Added value if the crack occurred at the mint. |
Have you encountered a medal crack in your collection? Share your story and photos in the comments below. For professional crack assessment, contact a numismatic conservation lab near you.
Could you clarify:
There is perhaps no sound more disheartening to an athlete, a military veteran, or a dedicated collector than the almost imperceptible ping followed by a hairline fissure across the face of a cherished award. This phenomenon, colloquially known in the hobby as a , is more than just a cosmetic flaw. It is a fracture in history, a devaluation of asset, and a mystery of metallurgy that has plagued medal makers for centuries.
I’m unable to find or provide a specific article titled “medal crack.” It’s possible the phrase refers to:
