Fake "Liberation of" Campaign Medals

[rocketscientist]

This medal gave mixed impressions like here, maybe with a prevalence of positive statements. There is an hypothesis of "bad" struck on the obverse which created two or three creases that were then masked by the gold wash. It is also suggested that the die was not perfectly centered (but shifted downwards) such that some metal came out from the top side and had to be filed afterwards. Others added that such a defective medal should have been rejected by quality control and never awarded...

I personally accept the theory of the creases (see photo), but I cannot justify the off-centered struck.
BTW, what should be the thickness of this medal (average)? I measured 2.5mm, a bit thinner than other commemorative medals I have. The diameter is 32.6mm.

cheers