Metal Casting Zone

Hi guys,

Quick question, I have an old military badge that most people agree was probably die struck due to the crisp detailing on the front. However, I am skeptical and think it is probably die cast because of the imperfections in the metal surface, which appear like cavaties. I don't see how a die struck piece could have such cavities, or am I wrong?

Here are some pics.

Thanks

Zinker

Closer shot of the cavities

i agree with you. definitely cast because as you say there are two many surface imperfections to be struck by a die.

how old is the badge

Hi guys,

It is about 65 years old.

With badges like this, you see imperfections alot, but NEVER any casting seams or any ejector pad marks, etc. That is why most people thing they are die struck, but pock marks like this make me thing die cast (or a very dirty obverse die if it was struck).

Thanks

Zinker

For the creation of dies for producing jewelry and badges by the coinage (stamping) process, the positive master may be made from sterling silver, since (with appropriate machine settings) the master is not significantly eroded and is used only once. The resultant negative die is then hardened and used in a drop hammer to produce stamped flats from cutout sheet blanks of bronze, silver, or low proof gold alloy. For badges these flats may be further shaped to a curved surface by another die. This type of EDM is usually performed submerged in an oil-based dielectric. The finished object may be further refined by hard (glass) or soft (paint) enameling and/or electroplated with pure gold or nickel. Softer materials such as silver may be hand engraved as a refinement.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_discharge_machining

Depending on the material, some metal parts made of an alloy, like die casting, will disintegrate the impurities and leave the cavities you see. Especially older parts because of poorer refining practices of long ago.