The grading of a coin can be compared with a referee calling a play. Most plays are routine and easy to call, but some are borderline and, right or wrong, the fans often disagree with the result of such a call.

The same can be said of coin grading.  Any two individuals with approximately equal experience in grading will agree on the grade of most coins, but will no doubt disagree on some.   The difference of opinion is due to the fact that coin grading is a science with flexible guidelines.

The South African Coin and Banknote Catalogue gives you reasonably detailed descriptions of the various numismatic grading terms.  Take time to study these.  Never be afraid to ask a dealer about the condition of a coin.  A good dealer will take time out to explain.  It is a subjective matter and often one finds the condition goes up or down a grade depending on whether it is being sold or bought. There is no substitute quite as good as experience but beginners can at least follow the basic guidelines of all collecting areas:  know your dealer.  Has he been in business for a long time, has he got a shop where you can go back to, what is the general opinion of other collectors and others in the trade.

In grading of coins there are two elements to look for:

1.  Overall design wear,

2.  Loss of detail in the design.

Details to look for on the obverse of the coin of the following coin designs are:

Remember you need to check the detail in the design on the reverse as well when grading the coin.

The age, rarity and type of a coin should not be  considered in grading, however it should be borne in mind that with many of the ZAR gold coins dies were used beyond their normal life.  Grade each coin by the weaker of the two sides.  Split grades i.e. F/VF for obverse and reverse are normally no more than one grade apart.  Grade by the amount of overall wear and loss of detail evident in the main design on each side.

Specific characteristics of the coin should be noted such as with excessive hairlines on a proof coin, that coin will be graded an impaired proof (Imp Pr), Rim Nick (R/N), Rim Bump (R/B) and unnatural cleaning or polishing (Pol) should also be noted.  A coin removed from a pendant which has solder marks will have added to the grade (ex  mount) and is worth only a much smaller percentage of the grade value.

GRADING DESCRIPTIONS

( From lowest grade to highest grade )