Confessions of a numismatics sinner (Warning: Long Rant)

When I began to tackle the monumental task of cataloging my tokens I didn't worry about having a perfect system. I just focused on getting all the necessary info cataloged. Maybe start with Excel and that way you can change later if that doesn't work out.

 

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For me, this is a hobby with different aspects - acquiring coins, cataloguing them, researching them, photographing them, sharing my pictures and thoughts about them here. I don't enjoy these aspects all equally, and seldom all of them at the same time, but I don't see the problem in focusing on the aspect that you're getting the most out of at the present time.

Yes, sometimes it does seem like it's all about scoring a rapid fire string of NEWP dopamine hits, but sometimes - as in these past two months - I'm barely looking at Vcoins or auction sites, though I'm still getting my daily numismatic fill by cataloguing and photographing my backlog of past wins, researching a new or old area of interest prompted by a post here on Cointalk, or just pulling out a few random old coins from my collection and enjoying them anew. I have no doubt I'll be on the hunt again soon. It's a fun cycle .

This all said, I think I'm only going to worry when all of the many aspects of this hobby stop bringing me joy. At that point, the main worry will be about finding another passion that is as edifying and enjoyable as this one, with as many cool, knowledgeable and friendly people to share it with.

 

What zumbly said. Cataloging and photographing gives us more time to play with out coins too!

I learned how to use Access to build a database for my ancient collection - and it was a fun challenge. One day when I'm a little less busy I'm going to try and tweak it some more it works well for now.

Excel is great for my tokens but I think I want to build a database for those as well.

Sallent, once you get caught up it will be easier going forward, and more enjoyable.

 

I totally agree with Z. There are times I enjoy one aspect over another. But I think I enjoy them all equally. When I lost most everything in a computer crash, I found I actually was enjoying putting it all back together again. I learned new things about my coins and about photography. I was so busy with the rebuild, I hardly hunted for something new to add.

 

Very interesting topic!
Hunting for coins can be a very exhausting and unsatisfactory task (if you are outbidded at the very last moment by a certain Cl@#). It is really an endless quest. As soon as you get a coin, you look for the next one without really taking time to enjoy it.
On the contrary, cataloguing your collection can have a relaxing effect.
A very important part of our hobby is also books. I spend about one third (rough estimate) of my modest budget to make my library grow.

 

None of your actions warrant self punishment. We are hunter gatherers and it is our nature to first obtain then organize and distribute. There is a recipe for balanced coin collecting and like any food recipe that we prepare in our kitchen we must achieve the best balance of ingredients. If you've used too much salt, just add more water (or wine) and vegetables.

 

I'll echo that sentiment. When the coin auction hammer isn't falling my way, I'll often sink the coin money into books and old auction catalogues. My library has become an extension of the coin obsession for me.

 

Nah... just keep buying, plenty of time to sort them when you retire!

 

Hey @YOC , looks like you got you name / posting issue sorted out! Good to see you back!

 

Except I probably won't retire for at least another 36 years or so. I'd like to get a handle on the problem at 100+ coins rather than wait for when I'm swimming in 1,500+ coins.

 

Collecting is an obsession which makes it kind of a psychological disorder. Ancient coins got a hook into me in about 2014 and I have about 300. But I also have an extensive US type set, many commemoratives, world coins, a bunch of US large cents, some medals, etc. and I continue to buy from all categories.

I am incapable of selling any of my coins without sellers remorse. I love them.

I also have buyers remorse when I peek at the spreadsheet so I rarely total the price column.

I'm pretty sure this disorder gets worse with age. That's it!

 

With my time commitments and budget, I can only buy one or two ancients a month. Even then, I still am not up-to-date in my cataloging, so don't feel too bad. I have had to step away from the hobby before, and that was not a fun feeling.

 

So @Sallent and others, have you started yet?

As soon as I make a purchase I try to input it in my database even before it arrives. Just did that this morning.

When I got started with my catalog I began with the newest purchases and worked my way back to the oldest.

 

No kidding. I find myself calculating modern costs in terms of ancient coins.
Car insurance - 1 nice sestertius
Oil leak, coils, tires - 1 VF tet Sicilly
Utilities - a few denarii per month
I guess I need a break.

As to sins. I decided a decade ago to branch out into ancients and ebay'ed a couple of denarii (Trajan and Hadrian) before having done my homework. Got cold feet and sent them to DSear. They came back totally fine, but my barely ok ebay deal became and very overpriced affair

 

To answer your question, I have begun by taking the simple step of setting a personal cloud system. As I mentioned, I have coin files over several computers, so having a central point where I can compile all the information helps. I did not previously have dropbox or any public cloud because I wanted to have a cloud I could use for dual personal and business file backup and access, and for security purposes due to my line of work, I can't do that in a public cloud.

After compiling the photos and notes into one file and seeing what I had and what I had missing, I am in the process of creating the files for those coins I have nothing for.

I then have to decide what to do. I'm considering switching to paper envelopes and storing the envelopes with coins in 2x2 cardboard boxes. Less clutter and easier to store in a small safety deposit box. If that's the case, I'll ditch the tag project as the coin envelopes themselves will be the tags. That might also facilitate my photography project. I want to photograph every coin, so I have to open them from their 2x2 cardboard holders. So might as well switch to paper. As I am not a professional, my pics won't be as good as sellers' but at least they'll be my own. However, with paper envelopes, it is easy to go back and re-take pictures in the future. At some point during all of this mess, I have to start my cataloging project.

I have limited time both as a professional and as a single dad raising a 6-year-old by myself, so it will take a while. I wouldn't be surprised if all of that takes me 2-4 months to finish with my limited time.

 

Great posts!
I get all my coins via sixbid/auctions/so I use the auction photos for my data base. Even when working 90+ hrs a wk., I still find time after 10:00PM to scroll upcoming auctions and put in my proxy bids. On auction day, I think all day/while working about my chances of winning my lot. When I get home, first thing I do is check if results are posted. Upon winning a lot, a make my data label/also enter new coin onto my data bank. My coin collecting ambitions are as follows....
strive for high quality material/from Ancients to present day/EL/AV/AR/PT coinage/collect for pleasure of hobby then investment(although coins are best investment tool) No retirement for me/ my motto is, "Work hard, play hard", plus work keeps you young and in shape! Last year, I added 60AV/21AR coins to my collection, hopefully 2017 will be better. Just got another coin via Heritage Auctions/ its not ancient, but still old enough....

AV Dukat 1787-ST Bayern (Bavaria) 3.49g./22mm. Munchen Mint
Karl Theodor Elector of Bayern/Pfalz/Julich-Cleve-Berg
PS: I was born in Julich.
John

 

ahahaha => for once, I rock!!

Yah, my OCD "makes" me take the coin from the mailbox to my downstairs computer ... verify that I updated my spreadsheet when I ordered/won the coin ... open the safe and pull-out the appropriate coin-binder (which is mentioned in my overall coin index spreadsheet) .... insert the coin into the already determined pocket-sleeve ... update my master spreadsheet that the coin has arrived ... send the info to work, so I can have two copies of the spreadsheet (just in case, right?)

... pour myself a triple Kraken and love every minute of it!! (OCD has it's advantages, my cool coin-friends)



Cheers, coin-gang

 

Darn it, I wish I had OCD. It's probably the southern heat, makes life move down here at a lazier pace. Or maybe I was just plain lazy after a long day at work. I don't know.

 

@Sallent you have OCD. You need to explore it further.

 

Your post has inspired me to halt my coin buying frenzy. I found a bag of ancient coins in my coin closet that I forgot that I'd ordered. I think that demonstrates that I don't know what I have already.