Ever wondered about the fourth-place finisher? Do they get a medal, and what color would it be? It’s a bit of a mystery. Let’s clear that up.

Typically, there isn't a standard color for a fourth-place medal¹. This is because most major competitions, like the Olympics, only award gold, silver, and bronze medals for the top three finishers, not for fourth place.

This tradition of awarding medals to the top three comes mainly from the modern Olympic Games. It's deeply rooted in recognizing clear winners. Most sports events and official ceremonies stick to this gold, silver, and bronze system. So, seeing a fourth-place medal is quite unusual. When I talk to clients, like Mark Chen who orders tourist coins related to scenic spots, or even Sarah Johnson looking for military challenge coins, the focus is almost always on distinct achievements or participation, not usually a fourth-place ranking in a formal sense. There's a strong psychological pull to the top three spots, making them the standard for recognition.

The idea of awarding just three top spots isn't new. If we look back at the ancient Olympic Games, winners didn't get medals; they got olive wreaths. The multi-medal system is more modern. Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, played a big role. The first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896 awarded silver medals to winners and bronze to runners-up. Gold medals for first place were introduced later, at the 1904 St. Louis Games. This established the gold-silver-bronze hierarchy we know today.

These colors have strong symbolism. Gold represents the highest achievement, the sun, and divinity. Silver is associated with value and second place, still a top honor. Bronze, an alloy, signifies third place, a durable and respected finish. This clear distinction helps highlight the top performers and sets a global standard.

But what about events outside the big leagues? In my 12+ years at INIMAKER®, we've seen all sorts of requests. While traditional sports stick to three, sometimes smaller, local competitions or school events want to recognize more participants. For example, they might have medals for 4th, 5th, even up to 10th place. These are often for encouragement rather than high-stakes winning. The "color" for these can be anything the organizer wants – antique nickel, copper, or even a custom enamel color that matches their branding.

Corporate clients, like Klaus Wagner who focuses on employee achievement medals, sometimes ask for awards beyond the top three. This could be for a sales contest or a company sports day. Here, the "medal" is more about acknowledging effort and participation. They might choose a different finish, perhaps an antique pewter or a custom enamel color, to distinguish it from traditional winner medals. It's less about being "fourth place" and more about being a "top performer" in a broader group. We can customize these with logos, names, and even QR codes, making them unique. We've produced medals with diamond-cut edges or holographic elements for such occasions. So, while there's no usual color for a fourth place medal in major sports, when they are created for other contexts, the color and design are entirely up to the client’s imagination and purpose.

What Material Is The Fourth Place Medal Usually Made Of?

So, if a fourth-place medal is awarded, what's it made of? It's not as clear-cut as gold, silver, or bronze. Let's explore the possibilities.

Since fourth-place medals aren't standard, their material isn't either. If created, they commonly use cost-effective metals like zinc alloy, brass, or pewter. These might have antique finishes or custom coloring to differentiate them from the top three prizes.

When we talk about materials for a medal that isn't gold, silver, or bronze, several factors come into play. Clients often want something that still feels substantial but doesn't carry the same cost or formal prestige as the top awards. The choice of material also depends on the event's scale, budget, and the message it wants to send.

Common Materials for Non-Podium or Participation Medals

At INIMAKER®, we work with various metals. For these kinds of awards, choices often lean towards affordability and design flexibility. My experience shows that clients like these options:

• Zinc Alloy²: This is probably the most popular choice. It's fantastic for die-casting, which means we can achieve intricate designs and sharp details. It's also cost-effective for larger quantities. We often use zinc alloy for corporate awards, like the ones Klaus Wagner orders for his multinational's ESG-themed coins. He particularly appreciates that we can source recycled zinc alloy to meet his sustainability requirements. Our advanced techniques, like soft enamel and offset printing, work beautifully on zinc alloy.
• Brass: Brass has a nice weight to it and a more traditional, premium feel. It's a bit more expensive than zinc alloy but takes plating very well. This means we can achieve beautiful antique finishes, or even a subtle gold or silver tone if desired, without claiming it's a "winner's" medal. It offers a good balance between quality and cost.
• Iron: Iron is a very economical option, especially for stamped designs. It's strong, but it needs proper plating or coating, like an anti-oxidation layer, to prevent rust. We might use this for very high-volume, budget-conscious projects, perhaps for mass participation events.
• Pewter: Pewter³ has a classic, often antique, appearance. It’s a softer metal, which allows for deep 3D relief and unique textures. It's less common for "fourth place competitive" medals and more for commemorative items or special artistic awards.

Finishes and Design Considerations

The material is just one part; the finish is crucial for these alternative medals. The goal is to look distinct and appealing.

• Plating Options: Instead of the bright gold, silver, or bronze, a "fourth-place" or participation medal might be plated with:
  • Antique Silver
  • Antique Bronze
  • Antique Copper
  • Black Nickel
  • Gunmetal
  • Matte versions of standard finishes
    We offer dual plating options too. I recall one client, organizing a regional programming competition, who wanted a gunmetal finish with a bright blue enamel accent for their fourth to eighth place medals. It looked very modern and distinguished.
• Enamel and Printing: Soft enamel is a great way to add color and vibrancy. Our patent-pending "ColorLock" technology ensures these colors don't fade for over 10 years. Offset printing can also be used for complex, multi-color designs directly onto the metal surface.
• Shape, Texture, and Extras: These medals don't have to be round! Custom shapes, diamond-cut edges, or unique textures can make them special. We can incorporate laser engraving for names or dates, or even embed a QR code that links to results or a message, as some corporate clients prefer. For Diego Martinez, planning Olympic-themed collector coins, such features could add value to non-podium themed pieces in a set.

Here's a quick comparison of common materials we use at INIMAKER® for such custom awards:

Ultimately, if a client, say for a corporate event managed by someone like Klaus, or a tourist memento for Mark's business, decides to award something for fourth place or as a special recognition, the material and finish will be chosen to reflect the spirit of that specific award. This often means appreciation or encouragement rather than top-tier victory. Aisha Al-Farsi, who deals with luxury gold-plated coins, wouldn't typically order a "fourth place" medal, but the underlying craftsmanship principles for material choice and finishing remain consistent across all our products.

Looking for High-Quality Plated Coins for Learning or Collecting?

Beyond official competitions, there's a whole world where beautifully crafted coins and medals play a role. Think about educational settings. Imagine history teachers using replica coins, perhaps with antique finishes we create, to bring ancient civilizations to life. Or art students studying intricate designs on custom-minted pieces we pressed.

At INIMAKER®, we get excited about these projects too. We can produce stunning gold-plated or silver-plated coins that are perfect for educational purposes or for passionate hobbyists and collectors. Perhaps you're developing a collector's series, like Diego Martinez might for sports fans with his Olympic-themed items. Or maybe you're creating unique items for a museum shop, similar to our work with the British Museum on Tudor dynasty replicas using historical patina recreation tech.

Our expertise in materials like zinc alloy and brass, combined with advanced electroplating techniques (we meet ASTM B-488 for gold plating), means we can create items that are both beautiful and durable. And with our flexible MOQ, starting at just 100 pieces for standard designs (custom molds from 500 units), even smaller projects can get that professional INIMAKER® touch. If you have an idea for custom coins or medals that need to look fantastic and tell a story, we're here to help make it happen. My team and I are always ready to discuss your vision.

Conclusion

So, fourth-place medals don't have a set color or material because they're uncommon. Tradition favors gold, silver, and bronze. If made, they use different materials and finishes to stand apart, often focusing on participation or specific event themes.