TDK APDC

Resource website

Grading Australian predecimal coins

Page 3

With all of our articles, information provided will evolve as more research is conducted, as information comes to light, and as time permits.

I do not claim to be an authority, just an interested party trying to bring together basic information to get others started.

I would recommend forming your own view based upon several prespectives, research, and developing your own knowledge.

Grading Australian Pre-decimal Coins - Page 3

Look Out !

A lot of people have misinterpreted grading, thanks in no small part I’m sure, to guides that define grades to try to assist, but do not provide images so vital in defining that description.     Our visual guide is now complete -  links are towards bottom of article.

Online auction sites are scattered with people selling coins and stating their opinion on grade or value, so many of which are over-stated, or provide poor images so that you can't see detractors - a vital component of collectibility.

A lot do not have accurate reference material, or have used other sellers gradings as the basis for their own assessment.

Of couse, some people will deliberately over-state, in an attempt to 'sucker' someone - Should you see an item described as "Super-rare, Australian pre-decimal penny, uber-scarce 'bullet hole through kings ear variety', owned by Ned Kelly!" - look for a laugh, by all means - while you're at it, have a look at the sellers feedback and other items - generally, over time, a fraud will be found out and identified as such.      Unfortunately in the mean time, they will rip several people off. Don't fall for the hype or spin.   Do your research and save yourself some heartache.

This can be costly, particularly to those just starting out – you can pay 10 times (or more) what something is actually worth, thinking that you picked up a bargain, where really the individual selling it has stated that they know what is going on when they actually don't.   If someone references a valuation or relative condition, such as grade, you would think they would know what they are talking about, right?    Not necessarily ....    Many may think they do, but often they haven't researched very well themselves when developing their own position as to grade.

The single best advice I can offer a budding collector is to develop your OWN position on grading and value, using a variety of available resources and reference materials.       When considering a purchase, make your decision on value based on your OWN assessment of the images and information provided.      There is nothing quite like working out 6 months after the fact that you have been duped, or taking someone else's word as to grade, scarcity, value, etc., then wishing you had taken the time to learn for yourself earlier.

Further Information

As time permits, I will elaborate further where I can.

If you have information that can assist, please let me know.

If you’ve made it to here, you’re probably thinking “Yea, all that is great Tim, but I want something I can look at and compare to when I’m looking at my own coins …..”

This is exactly what you will find in ANDA’s article linked below.

Alternately, you can view our visual guide to grading Australian pennies, which can be found at the link below.

Happy collecting!

PLEASE NOTE:

I am not currently a member of ANDA or affiliated in any way to ANDA.   I refer to their document often because I spent so long looking for something like it myself, and wish I’d found it sooner.

Should an ANDA member or representative read my article, I hope that it is taken for its intention:

To help beginners find the information they need, when they really need it - at the beginning!

TDK

Australian Pre-Decimal Coins

Grading Australian predecimal coins

Page 3 of our article on grading Australian coins