Like any other collecting sector when it comes to models (particularly the older die-cast models) there is no real substitute for experience when seeking to add an original to your collection. Here at Herod Models we try our best to provide an accurate opinion as to condition and always aim to market at a realistic price.

We base our grading on the captions below whose definitions and descriptions are taken from a widely recognised grading standard used by museums. Modifications have been made to accommodate most models and we try to keep our definitions as short as possible so as not to confuse.

It has become a generally accepted practice to grade items using a numerical scale commencing at the low end (poor) with the number 1 and rising to 10 (as new) at the top. We have gone a little further and reduced our overall number of grades to six (C02, C04, C06, C08, C10 and C12). Ungraded (brand new) items being classified as C00).

Whatever the grading system used grades will always be subjective. What to one collector is slight scratch and therefore not important may well render the item as being totally unworthy of collecting by another. Further confusion is created by collectors themselves who almost always have a tendency to over-estimate the grade of their own models and so standards constantly vary.

In developing our grading structure we have made every attempt at providing some clarity by which our own standards are set and we hope this guide also proves to be an asset to you when building your collection.

One final note - where boxes are listed together with an item we will give a brief but individual description. If the box is a reproduction, we will say so, and if it is original we'll try to describe its condition as accurately as possible but they will not carry the same grading structure as the models themselves.

• C00 - Not Applicable
• C02 - Poor

• C04 - Fair
• C06 - Good

• C08 - Excellent
• C10 - Near Mint

• C12 - Mint