A record plaque is an award given to a music artist (and often their team) to recognize major sales or streaming milestones for a song or album.

The most well-known examples are Gold, Platinum, and Diamond plaques. In the United States, these are certified by the Recording Industry Association of America:

Gold typically means 500,000 units soldPlatinum means 1 million unitsDiamond represents 10 million units

(“Units” today usually combine physical sales, digital downloads, and streaming numbers.)

Physically, a record plaque is a framed display that often includes:

A decorative vinyl record (or CD, depending on the era)A nameplate with the artist, title, and achievementArtwork or album cover elements

They’re usually given to artists, producers, labels, and sometimes collaborators as a commemorative piece, and they’re often displayed in studios, offices, or homes as a symbol of commercial success.