SACGS split grade? Please explain.

[MrBosch 10]

Here is the coin graded by SACGS in question:

 

2008 Birthday R5 - THIS FIRST EVER!!! SPLIT MS 60/68 MANDELA BIRTHDAY COIN for sale in Pretoria / Tshwane

 

I have absolutely no idea what that means and have never seen anything like it. Can someone please explain? Thanks.

[Guest Guest]

Explaining a split grade:

 

While a split grade is not that uncommon as the auction might perhaps indicate,

 

It is the First in South African coinage done by us.

 

In Short: Grading.

 

Grading is done on 2 tiers, Technical Grading and Market related grading.

 

As a rule 'Moderns' are done on a "Technical grading" Strictly according to the book.

(as such the coin in Question)

 

ZAR & Union coins are done more market related, taking into account the rich history

the are involved in their minting process, including worn dies (1898 penny).

On some moderns 'No steps' and 'errors'

 

The coin in Question:

 

To grade a coin a "split grade" is not uncommon, technically the coin should have graded MS-60, and still is.

 

Why split the grade? The grade Ms60/68 should be ALWAYS read as

Ms-60 OBV / Ms 68-REV

 

The OBV/REV of the coin had been so vastly different from one another, it were noted by the grader and refered.

From near perfect on one side to nearly a 'no-grade' on the other the first action would be to be branded 'authenticity questionable' or 'tooled' (Damaged).

 

What happens next?

 

The coin were send for review in our daily meeting, where a discussion are held, and other fakes and forgeries pointed out. An morning meeting where all discuss interesting facts they have come across the day before. It is both educational and a measure of standardization.

This particular coin went for such review.

 

The review results:

 

The coin had been graded Technically, But Market related.

The grade had been split, as per technical grading, as te show the vast difference between the 2 sides.

In grading there is no "average grade" the lowest grade rules.

 

The graders notes:

review tmrw w Bill prelim 60-68, conf no alt /tl as con states A.

( Refer to to review meeting with William((Finalizer)) suggest split grade, no alterations or tooling and authentication determined)

 

Although this coin might be unique now, it is not impossible for more to follow, although not very likely.

In another post We will explain what happen or what findings were in such meetings,

for it is quite interesting for the way it affects South African Numismatics.

 

Regards SACGS SUPPORT