Earlier patterns had a curled bit of plexiglass coming down within the reel intended to copy a piece of tape drifting down. Here's an illustration of the early type award, this one for Ted Nugent's 1980 album Scream Desire: The Recording Industry Association of America® advocates for recorded songs https://israelzdugf.wssblogs.com/33044696/a-simple-key-for-gold-record-awards-for-sale-unveiled