SA Sports Badge... Bronze or Gold?

[Paolo67]

Hi all,
I recently acquired a type 1 SA Sports Badge. It was bought as a bronze, but upon close inspection, is it possible it's a Gold one?
The Bronze type 2 is numbered 603820, and the type 1 in question is numbered 96209.
Your opinions are much appreciated.
Thanks for looking.

Pics with flash

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[Paolo67]

One more with flash,

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[Paolo67]

Without flash,

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[Paolo67]

One more without flash,

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[freeman]

Hello Paolo
IMO it is a bronze
Regards
Michael

[Paolo67]

Thanks Michael. I thought it might be the case.

[Br. James]

For clarification, the badge on the right-hand side of your photos, #96209, is a 1st Issue SA Sport Badge, while the badge on the left-hand side of your pix is a 2nd Issue SA Sport Badge. This per the inscriptions on the reverses. Based upon the coloring of these badges, the 1st Issue piece appears to be a Gold Grade badge, while the 2nd Issue badge is certainly a Bronze Grade award.

Br. James

[Paolo67]

That's right James. The one on the right is the one in question. It definitely looks gold to me, however, opinions on these do seem to vary. I bought it from a dealer a little while back. As soon as I had it in my hand I thought it was a gold grade, and I know that sometimes the colouring on these badges is too close to call, that's why I put it up on here for opinions.
Thanks for the reply.

[juoneen]

There is a thread that was done here in the past that outlines numbered badges of each grade...there were certainly less gold badges than silver or bronze that were the most awarded...so you might search for it in the search bar ...and see if that number is in the gold range in order to solidify your education on the subject.

[Br. James]

Yes, as Juoneen stated, I too recall a note from someone among us which listed the range of numbers found on the three grades of SA Sport Badges, I believe in both the 1st and 2nd Issue of each award. While I cannot argue otherwise, I wonder whether that information came from the SA Sport Badge Central Office or if it was a listing of direct observation, as seen in the McSAAR list of SA Daggers?

As far as the pin construction and the overall look of the finish on the piece shown by Paolo67, the right-hand badge certainly meets my own expectations of what a Gold Grade Badge should contain, the stamped number not withstanding!

Cheers, friends,

Br. James

[Ron Weinand]

They are both Bronze issues. The first pattern is numbered too high to be a gold one.

[Paolo67]

Thanks for the replies and opinions everyone. I did have a look for the thread on numbered badges, but I couldn't find it, unfortunately. I guess I'll take that it's a bronze grade, albeit a very goldie one.