I and many others here believe that a spreadsheet like Excel is the best way to go. And for those who are REALLY good, a relational database like Access is even better. The trade-off is the price of a COTS package vs. the time to set up your own.
And another reason to use Excel is the availability all over the World. You could take your info anywhere and almost any computer would allow you to see your info. Not so with other programs. And to take a program and install on someone else's computer is not what most people will allow. Excel is rather everywhere.
And another thought is that the COTS package generally has limited personalizing capability whereas by using a spreadsheet you can format it any way you want AND change it as needs arise.
That's why I used the terms "spreadsheet" and "relational database" and then used Excel and Access as examples. There's more than one possibility.
Kanga, I'm using Excel now to keep track of mine. Do you have any kind of template you're willing to share or anybody else for that matter? Or are there some templates floating around that can be downloaded and test driven?
No, not really. I just created columns that contain the info I want about my coins. And the rows list all my coins. As a rule I don't have coins listed that I haven't got yet; my list is just coins I actually own. The only "extra" I've added is links to my coin images but that's just the CTRL-K option in Excel. Nothing brainy.
The biggest problem with Excel, in my opinion, is that you are unable to easily share your collection with those who might be interested (like everyone on this site). Some people like this privacy, however others really like to share their wonderful finds. I believe there is another user on this site (gbroke) who is developing a web based program that will allow you to catalog your items in a web format. I've also developed a similar website that is up and running. It is not specific to only coin collections, but may do the trick for you.
interesting no clue why i have not done something like this. after i feel comfortable with my coin photography. i am going to create some program that will let me put my coin info with the coins pictures. i know i have the abilities and software to make it, i just got to decide how complex or simple i want it. probably more simple with just enough features. after i get it up and running if anyone wants a download just ask. but i will make a thread, when i am done. even though i am probably just better off using excel... it will do pretty much everything i need. i dunno, i will "tinker" around and see what i come up with.
If you join one of the Registry's, you can easily publish your sets. The PCGS Registry has the problem that it only accepts PCGS-slabbed coins. The NGC Registry is a bit looser since it accepts both PCGS- and NGC-slabbed coins. BUT If you have coins in other holders or raw coins then neither of those two Registry's will work well. They DO give you the option of defining your own set but I don't know if the still have to be PCGS- or NGC-slabbed. I designed my own website a couple years back and it worked well BUT I have two difficulties: - my XHTML skills are marginal - my creative/artistic skills are worse. I've considered updating the site but finding the time to do it is very difficult.
I just purchased Pro-Coin 2011 and it's a good program, but you have to go read the help document carefully when you need to do some customizing. Such as adding random oddball custom coins to the database so you can add them to your collection(s). The only thing I would suggest is that you don't pay attention to the mintage figures built in. At times they are WAY off. I ended up customizing a text field in the Custom Details section/tab naming it "Mintages", and have been putting in mintages manually in this field, using mintage figures from my Redbook. You can then add these custom fields shown with the regular data in the summary section that is in the top-left block in McBlzr's image above. The built-in updated coin values are current as of March of this year, but they are not avaliable for every coin. I use completed auction values to fill in missing ones or override the built in values when needed. I also like the fact that you can put in the actual bullion amount a coin has in it's composition (such as 0.36169 oz of silver for franklin halves) and it will continue to add that total to your "bullion Value" total for a collection. I know not all coins are worth just bullion value but it's neat to see the total collection value verses the bullion value.
Good tips & points skippy, With the changing values of silver & gold it's hard to keep current. I have not quite figured out how to enter US Proof & Mint sets yet ?
I notice you have the 2010 version so I'm not sure it's exactly the same but, when you choose "Add Coin", Proof sets should be under: Coin Database|United States|Proof Sets|... then twirl down the arrow beside the type of proof set you have. Finally click the year you have. I see Mint sets should be under: Coin Database|United States|Mint Sets|... then twirl down the arrow beside the type of mint set you have. Finally click the year you have.
