Hobbies And Interests
Mirrored Finish
Examine the surface of the Krugerrand. A proof Krugerrand is stamped twice as much as a standard issue Krugerrand so will have sharply detailed designs. Most, but not all Krugerrands, also have flawless mirrored finishes. This means that the empty fields reflect light like a mirror. The problem is that many standard issue Krugerrands minted prior to 1975 are made so well that they also appear to have mirrored surfaces. When dealing with a Krugerrand dated prior to 1975, consult a coin expert if you are not sure it has a proof finish. It often takes the eye of an expert to tell the difference.
Frosted Finish
Some proof Krugerrands have a frosted finish. This is where the design elements on the coin appear "frosty" like they have a light layer of snow on them. Krugerrands minted in 1968 are especially known for this characteristic. During that year the South African Mint experimented with many varieties of proof Krugerrands. Some Krugerrands minted in 1968 are frosted on the obverse only, some are frosted only on the reverse, some are frosted on both sides, and some are not frosted at all. If you have a 1968 Krugerrand that is not frosted on either side, consult a coin expert to determine whether it is a proof coin.
Edge Reeding
In 1968, the South African Mint increased the number of indentations in the edge reeding from 180 to 220. If you have very good eyes and are so inclined, you can count the number of reeds on the edge of the Krugerrand. If your Krugerrand is dated 1968 or later and has 220 reeds, it is a proof coin. There is one exception to this rule. In 1977, the South African Mint produced some proof Krugerrands with 188 edge reeds. If your Krugerrand is dated prior to 1968, it will have 180 edge reeds and you will need to depend on the surface appearance test to determine whether it is a proof issue or a standard issue.