CDs are actually fairly resilient... on the bottom. Unfortunately the reflective data layer is very close to the label on the top, so it’s pretty easy to damage

CDs are actually fairly resilient... on the bottom. Unfortunately the reflective data layer is very close to the label on the top, so it’s pretty easy to damage them from that direction. Label-side damage is visible as the little pinpricks of light shining all the way through the now-damaged reflective layer when held up to a light. This is why taking a CD out of something and setting it upside down to “protect it” while it’s not in its case is actually the most dangerous thing you can do. This is also why “all-over print” discs are more resilient than discs with simple lettering printed on to the silver disc top surface, e.g. Japanese PSX games vs American ones.