Ever held a "silver" medal and wondered if it's actually silver? It's a common question. You see them everywhere, from school sports to big international events. It can be confusing.

Yes, Olympic silver medals¹ are typically made of at least 92.5% silver. However, many other "silver" medals are just silver-plated or made from silver-colored base metals like zinc alloy or nickel for cost-effectiveness.

The truth is, the term "silver medal" can mean different things. It really depends on the event and its budget. For the Olympic Games, there are strict rules. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) says that first-place medals (gold) must be silver of at least .925 grade, plated with a minimum of 6 grams of pure gold. Second-place medals (silver) must also be at least .925 grade silver. This standard ensures a certain level of intrinsic value. I remember the excitement around the London 2012 medals; the silver ones weighed a good amount and truly felt substantial. We've even had clients ask us to replicate that feel for their high-end corporate awards, specifying sterling silver.

But outside of the Olympics or very high-prestige events, things change. "Silver" often just refers to the color and finish. Many medals for smaller competitions, corporate recognition, or commemorative purposes are made from more affordable base metals. These can include zinc alloy, brass, or even iron. These medals are then plated with a thin layer of silver or a silver-colored material like nickel. This approach keeps costs down, especially when you need hundreds or thousands of medals. For example, a client organizing a city-wide marathon might need 5,000 finisher medals. Using solid silver would be incredibly expensive. So, we'd likely use a high-quality zinc alloy and apply a beautiful antique silver plating. It looks fantastic, feels good, and meets their budget. The key is a quality plating job. A well-done silver plate can be very durable and look just like solid silver to the untrained eye. At INIMAKER®, we use advanced electroplating techniques to ensure our silver-plated medals have a rich, lasting shine. We even do XRF testing on our plating to verify thickness and composition, giving clients peace of mind.

Are bronze medals made of bronze?

Okay, so we've talked about silver. Now, what about bronze medals? Does that deep, historic color mean you're holding actual bronze?

Olympic bronze medals² are primarily copper, often alloyed with tin and zinc, making them a true bronze or a very similar copper alloy like brass. For many other events, "bronze" medals are base metals with a bronze-colored plating for appearance and affordability.

Just like with silver, the answer for bronze medals isn't always straightforward.

Understanding Bronze in Medals

When we talk about "bronze," especially in the context of Olympic medals, they are generally made from a copper alloy.

• Olympic Bronze Composition:
  Traditionally, bronze is an alloy of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. However, modern Olympic bronze medals often consist of copper with other elements like zinc and sometimes a small amount of tin. For instance, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medals were made of 95% copper and 5% zinc, which is technically a type of brass (red brass). The Rio 2016 bronze medals had 95% copper and 5% zinc as well. So, while called "bronze," the exact composition can vary and might lean towards brass, another copper alloy. The key is that copper is the dominant material.

• The Historic Appeal of Bronze:
  Bronze has a long and distinguished history. Think about the Bronze Age – it was a pivotal material for tools, weapons, and art. This historical weight gives bronze a sense of tradition and achievement. It’s no accident it’s used for third place; it's still a mark of high honor. I recall a project for a museum where we recreated historical replica coins; the client specifically wanted an authentic-looking bronze patina, which we achieved through careful chemical treatment after casting.

• "Bronze" Medals in Other Contexts:
  For most other applications – local sports, academic awards, corporate challenges – "bronze" usually refers to the finish.

  • Base Materials: Similar to "silver" medals, these are often made from cost-effective base metals. Zinc alloy is very popular because it casts well, allowing for intricate designs. Iron or steel can also be used.
  • Plating: The base metal is then plated to give it a bronze appearance. This can range from a bright, polished bronze look to a more popular "antique bronze" finish. Antique finishes involve a darkening agent applied and then partially buffed off, highlighting the raised details and giving a sense of age and depth. This is a finish Klaus Wagner, our sustainability-focused client, often prefers for ESG-themed coins, as it has a classic, enduring look.

  Here’s a quick comparison of what you might find:

  Feature	Olympic Bronze Medal	Typical "Bronze" Finish Medal
  Primary Metal	Copper (often with zinc, tin)	Zinc Alloy, Iron, Brass
  Manufacturing	Cast or Struck	Die-cast (zinc), Die-struck (iron/brass)
  Appearance	Solid material color, may be patinated	Plated finish (e.g., antique bronze)
  Cost	Higher	Lower
  Common Use	Olympic Games, high-prestige events	Most other competitions, corporate awards

• Why Plating is Common for "Bronze":

  1. Cost-Effectiveness: Producing thousands of solid bronze medals is significantly more expensive than plating a base metal like zinc alloy.
  2. Design Flexibility: Zinc alloy, a common base, is excellent for detailed 3D designs through die-casting. It’s easier to work with for complex shapes than trying to mill solid bronze for every intricate piece.
  3. Consistency: Plating can provide a very consistent color and finish across a large batch of medals, which is important for clients like Mark Chen who sells tourist commemorative coins and needs every piece to look perfect.
  4. Variety of Finishes: With plating, we can offer a wide range of "bronze" aesthetics – shiny bronze, matte bronze, antique bronze London, antique bronze Paris, chocolate bronze, etc. This allows us to match a client's exact branding or theme. At INIMAKER®, our "ColorLock" technology also applies to ensuring the richness of these bronze tones, preventing fading even after years.

So, while an Olympic bronze medal has a significant amount of copper, many other medals proudly displaying a bronze color are actually very well-crafted pieces using a bronze finish over a different base metal. It’s all about achieving the desired look and feel within the project's scope and budget.

Want to See Real Craftsmanship? Consider Custom Gold and Silver Plated Coins!

Understanding the materials in award medals is interesting, right? But what if you want to hold a piece of this craftsmanship yourself, perhaps for educational purposes or as a collector?

At INIMAKER®, while we create medals for all sorts of prestigious events, we also specialize in making beautiful custom-plated coins. These are perfect for those who want to appreciate the art of metalwork without necessarily competing on an Olympic stage. We can take a durable and versatile base material, like zinc alloy or brass, and apply genuine gold or silver plating. For instance, our gold plating meets ASTM B-488 standards, ensuring quality and purity.

Imagine having a set of coins that showcase different plating techniques – perhaps one with a high-polish 18K gold finish, another with an antique silver look, and a third with our unique dual-plating. These can be fantastic teaching tools to show the difference between solid precious metal and high-quality plating. Or, if you're an amateur numismatist, creating your own "concept coins" with stunning finishes can be incredibly rewarding. We can even incorporate features like diamond-cut edges or laser engraving to make them truly special. This is a great way to experience the look and feel of precious metals at a more accessible point, backed by our 12+ years of metal craftsmanship.

Conclusion

So, Olympic silver medals are mostly real silver, and bronze ones are copper-based. For many other medals, "silver" or "bronze" refers to high-quality plating on other metals, offering beauty and value. Understanding this helps appreciate each medal's unique story.