Grading Australian Commonwealth Coins

Grading, by its very nature, will always embody a degree of subjectivity. Next to it being authentic, correct grading is a fundamentally important aspect when purchasing a coin, so for that reason we have adopted and will grade our coins & Banknotes to the ANDA standard.

• Gem-Uncirculated - A superior coin with an almost perfect Strike. May show just a few minute Detracting Marks, barely visible to the naked eye. Viryually Full Luster or Mint Bloom is present. An attractive toning (if present) may enhance Eye Appeal, on silver coins, but is less desirable on bronze coins. Overall, a close to perfect coin.

• Choice Uncirculated - Quite well struck, and only minor detail may be missing from the high points of the design. A scattering of fairly insignificant Detracting Marks may be present, but should not attract undue attention. Mint Lustre or Mint Bloom should be of at least moderate presence. A very pleasing coin with much Eye Appeal.

• Uncirculated - May display some weakness of Strike and a small number of Detracting Marks of a moderate nature. If any of the above are exessive in an otherwise uncirculated coin, (i.e. no wear is apparent), then such impediments should be mentioned separatly, as they affect the coins value. Some Mint Bloom or Luster should still be present but may be subdued. Quite desirable due to the adsence of wear.

• almost Uncirculated - Mostly similar to UNC, though may still feature a good Strike. The major difference is faint traces of wear on the high points of the design. Some Mint Luster usually remains, particularly in the legends. Occasionally may have more Eye Appeal than UNC, but does not allow for a higher grade. Care must be taken not to mistake a weak strike for wear.

• Extremely Fine - Light wear is apparent on the high points of the design on both sides. A fair number of small Detracting Marks are likely to be evident. Luster may still be present, but if so, then only in the legend around the rim. On George V coins, the Centre Diamond in the band of the Monarchs crown should be well raised, and the pearls to the left of it should be well separated.

• Very Fine - Moderate wear has resulted in flat spots on the high points of the design, generally more evident on George V coins than later issues. Detracting Marks and minor Edge Nicks may be present, but if excessive, should be mentioned seperately. On the Obverse of George V coins, the centre diamond should show all four edges, but the pearls to the left have worn away. A pleasing collectors coin.

• Fine - Extensive Wear is evident on all design features, though the outline of the design is still fairly raised. Detracting Marks may be many, but should not be of an excessive nature. Prominent gauges or scratches are not acceptable. George V coins: Reverse: Flat emu body with virtually all feathers worn away. Advance Australia is still bold. Obverse: Centre Diamond is worn away, but six pearls are still present.

• Very Good - Wear is around 4/5 from what was the top of the feature design. There may be many Detracting Marks, but not to the extend that a coin appears damaged. On the reverse of George V coins, Advance Australia may still be partly readable. This grade can still look attractive if shading (dirt) from everyday use highlights the outline of the design.

• Good - Quite worn, but must still show the full outline of the design, even if only faintly. There may be many Detracting Marks, but somr Eye Appeal should remain. With George V coins, all letteres are readable except Advance Australia, which is worn flat or nearly so. A "true collectors coin".

Grading Ancient Coins

Generally, two factors must be accounted for in grading Ancient Coins. Effects of wear and Effects of manufacture

• Effects of wear result from circulation, find conditions, and conservation. Worn examples display a loss of sharpness, corrosion, and scratches. Effects of wear are the primary factors in determining a coin's grade

• Effects of manufacture, such as poor centering, flatness, and multiple strikings, can affect the aesthetics of a coin, and thereby its value, but typically do not affect the grade.

As such, when Cyber Coins & Banknotes grades their coins, the grade is usually supplemented by information relating any detrimental factors caused in the coin's manufacture. For example, a coin that is in exceptional condition, but has been struck a bit off-center may be graded as EF, slightly off-center strike. Another factor that must also be considered is the state of the dies in a series to which a coin belongs. With ancient, and some medieval, coin series, dies were executed with a variety of refinement. Some series are exemplified by highly artistic dies, while others were made from very crude dies. In the latter case, it is possible that a coin may appear to be in a lower grade than it actually is. When this occurs, the grade is accompanied by the phrase "for issue."

Grading Australian Banknotes

• Uncirculated - Perfect note, never mishandled. Paper is clean, crisp and firm. No discolouration with sharp, square corners. Paper may be slightly rippled however the design is as it was the day the note was printed. Original sheen.

• almost Uncirculated - Almost perfect note with very minor handling. May show evidence of a slight centre fold (but not strong) and/or a tellers flick. Paper may be rippled however no hard creases can be seen. Corners are not rounded, paper retains sheen.

• good Extra Fine - Very close to aUNC, may have a slightly more evident centre fold and/ or 1-3 minor creases. Colours bright and original sheen.

• Extra Fine - A very attractive note with minor handling. max of 3 light folds or 1 strong crease. Paper is clean and colours very much above average.

• almost Extra Fine - Note is flat with some creasing and minor wear and tear. Overall, an aEF will show circulation but not excessively. Colours will be better than average, colours bright and paper holds original sheen.

• good Very Fine - A note graded gVF shows minor wear and tear. may have folds both horizontally and vertically, minimal dirt and no smudging. There will be NO tearing and edges are good, may show some wear where creases occur.

• Very Fine - Attractive note with a little more evidence of handling. May have several folds but paper still retains crispness. There are NO tears to the border area and design shows little (if any) wear. Colours will still be clear, any other detractions will be detailed in item listing.

• good Fine - Note shows circulation but is still attractive. Folding, creasing and wrinkling may be present but not excessively. May have one tear up to 3mm long extending from the border (if so this will be mentioned in the listing). Colours clear, not so bright but still very good. Up to 3 pin holes (would be mentioned in the listing)

• Fine - Note shows circutation, with many folds, creases and wrinling. Design is still very legible but colours lacking some brightness Edges will show handling, and possibly minor border tearing which will not extend further than 7mm into the note (will be mentioned in listing if so). Some pin holes may be present (will be described in the listing).