A reference tool for South African coin collectors — from the basic vocabulary (obverse, reverse, alloy, denomination) to the specialised jargon of the ZAR cluster (kaalpond, veldpond, OS initials, single 9). Five categories: Basic Numismatic Terms, Grading, ZAR-specific, Afrikaans, and Common Abbreviations. Where a term is the centerpiece of a dedicated Library leaf page, the entry links through to the deeper coverage. The companion Afrikaans Numismatic Glossary handles the full Afrikaans vocabulary in detail.
The foundational vocabulary of numismatics — terms that recur across every era, every series, and every catalogue. AGW, ASW, BU, alloy, die, edge: the basics that the rest of the glossary builds on.
— A — B —
AGW—Actual Gold Weight.
Alloy—Mixture of metals.
ASW—Actual Silver Weight.
Authentication—Verifying genuineness.
Bag marks—Nicks from contact with other coins.
Bimetallic—Two metals — like the Third Series R5.
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU)—Never circulated, mint lustre intact.
Bullion—Precious-metal bars or coins, valued by weight.
— C — E —
Cameo—Frosted devices on a proof — the classic mirror-against-frost contrast.
Capsule—Hard plastic holder for protection.
Certification—Professional grading by a third-party service.
Circulation strike—Regular issue intended for everyday use.
Edge—The side of the coin — reeded, plain, or lettered.
Grading terms
Numerical scale · Proof designations · Color designations
The Sheldon scale runs 1 to 70, with MS for Mint State and PR/PF for Proof. Below MS-60, coins are graded as circulated — AU, EF, VF, F. Cameo and color designations apply to specific coin types. For the full grading workflow, see Certification & Grading Basics.
— Numerical scale —
MS / PR-70—Perfect. No flaws under 5× magnification.
MS / PR-69—Nearly perfect — one or two trivial flaws.
MS / PR-65—Gem. Above-average mint state.
MS / PR-63—Choice uncirculated.
AU-50 to 58—About Uncirculated — light wear on highest points.
EF-40 to 45—Extremely Fine — light, even wear.
VF-20 to 35—Very Fine — moderate wear, all detail clear.
F-12 to 15—Fine — considerable wear, major detail visible.
— Proof & colour —
PF / PR—Proof: mirror-finish collector strike.
CAM—Cameo — frosted devices contrast with mirror fields.
The Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) coinage of 1892 – 1902 introduced a vocabulary that survives only in collector usage today. Pond, kaalpond, veldpond, tickey — terms that anchor the era's most documented controversies. Where a term is the centerpiece of a Library leaf page, the entry links through. For the full era reference, see the ZAR Hub.
Double shaft—Wagon error on the 1892 Crown — 4,357 minted before correction.
Single shaft—Corrected wagon design after the 1892 double-shaft error.
OS initials—Otto Schultz's initials — sparked the "O.S. controversy" on 1892 ZAR coinage.
Single 9—Unique 1899 overdate — the rarest South African coin, one specimen extant.
Kaalpond—Unstruck gold blanks — Afrikaans for "naked pound".
Veldpond—1902 emergency coin struck in the field during the Anglo-Boer War.
Kruger Millions—Legendary lost gold — the unsolved Kruger fortune mystery.
Afrikaans terms
Common Afrikaans words on SA coins · Sneak peek of the dedicated glossary
Many South African coins carry Afrikaans inscriptions — particularly Union and bilingual-era Decimal issues. This is a curated short list. For the full Afrikaans vocabulary, including all denominations, design terms, and historical phrases, see the dedicated Afrikaans Numismatic Glossary.
— Denominations & design —
Pond—Pound.
Halfpond—Half pound.
Tickey—Threepence — slang surviving in SA English.
Disselboom—Wagon shaft — the focal element of the 1892 double-shaft error.
Enkel disselboom—Single shaft — the corrected design.
Suid-Afrika—South Africa — the bilingual legend on Union and early Decimal coinage.
Common abbreviations
Grading services · Grade designations · Industry shorthand
The shorthand that appears in catalogues, slabs, and dealer listings — grading services, grade tiers, and authentication marks. For practical use of these in collecting workflows, see the Coin Dealers page and the Certification & Grading page.
