Is it common for schools to refuse to issue replacement diplomas if the original is lost?

I’m a bit surprised to hear that there are places that require a copy of a diploma. Transcripts are the standard way of providing evidence that one has earned a particular degree.

I have a friend from college who never actually graduated from high school. At the last minute they informed him that he hadn’t met some phys ed requirement and so wasn’t entitled to graduate. Didn’t stop him from getting a bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degrees, and getting a tenured faculty position.

I worked in the office of my (private) high school after I graduated, we occasionally got calls asking for a replacement diploma and the answer was always, we don’t do that. The registrar would provide some other paperwork if they needed proof of graduation, I don’t recall if it was a transcript (with grades) or just a letter or form saying this this person graduated in Month, Year.

I recall one person being slightly annoyed by this answer. She was not nearly as rude as the father who said “Let me try this again, I am a donor to this school” when he came by without appointment asking for a tour for some friends.

My degree does not have marks on it, while my transcript does. My marks were pretty good, but it seems using the degree is a good way to hide bad marks.