My excel spreadsheet... My columns are labeled (2 rows) as such: Description - Number Minted - Grade - Cost - Date Acquired - 2005 Red Book Values for EF-40, MS60, MS63, MS/PR65 So an entry would look like this: 1931-S Lincoln 1c - 866,000 - PCGSMS64Rd - $195 - 2/03 - 75.00 - 90.00 - 100.00 - n/a or... 1878 8TF Morgan $1 - 750,000 - MS63 - $130 - 7/03 - $24 - $110 - $150 - $1,200 For my Lincolns with mintages less than 20 million, I bold the description with a blue font . For mintages less than 10 million, I bold with a red font . Also, for key date coins, I list in either Blue (semi-key) or Red (key). Also, recently I started adding a hyperlink to pictures I have of some of my nicer coins. I can either pull out my collection or show it on my notebook computer. Now I know what many of your are thinking...why do I put Red Book values for the various grades? I look at it this way...it's once per year that I am updating my collection. Red Book's are well received in our hobby and I am just looking for a "gauge" of the values. If Iwant something more current, I go to Grey Sheets. But at least I can reference these values if somebody asks. It doesn't take long and I get a kick out of how the values change from year to year. I break out my collection by denominations with cents listed first and by oldest first to the next higher denominations. The excel spreadsheet atomatically dates any changes and I keep it current.
Actually, I use Quicken. I treat each coin (or, if necessary, set) as it's own "stock" or commodity. In this way, you can track your true costs and unrealized/realized gains. I realize this treats your coin collection as an investment (which you may not wish to do). The name of the coin entry would be very specific as to note the year, coin denomination and/or type, and grade (with grading service, if applicable). When I calculate costs, I always include any commission or postage costs that are applicable to the purchase. If you're trying to keep up on what the "real value" of any particular coin is from time to time (as a rule of thumb, I conservatively use current wholesale price minus 10%) you can add it to the Quicken Price History for that item. You would have a completely up-to-date "real-world worth" of your collection and the reports that Quicken can generate are invaluable in this regard. Of course, the "real-world worth" is a really up-in-the-air question until you actually try to sell your collection, Quicken can give you a round-about view of where you stand with it. If you don't have access to wholesale prices, then use retail minus 30%-50% (just a wild guess).
I just want something to keep track of what I have, something I can look at with a quick glance. I see some software on eBay but they're usually over $30.00... David
I've tried out at least a half-dozen freeware and commercial programs, but always come back to my Excel spreadsheet that gives me that quick glance with columns for identification and cost. (I plan to let the Executor of my Estate worry about resale value.)
I commend you for trying so many programs! Usually, people just buy one and then justify the purchase after the fact. I have written several reviews (for instance for my Numismatist column) and basically, I do little more than list them all. I do recommend that a collector thinking about software begins with a spreadsheet (or similar tool) before buying any package. Even when someone thinks they "only collect Running Ostrich Sixpence by Privy Mark" the fact is that all collectors tend to collect a wide range of "things" and just one software may not be right for any one collector. Some programs let you put your own scans in the database. Some sell you pricing updates. Some are designed for US or World or Banknotes. Some are configurable; some are greatly configurable; and some are completely configurable. The last time I inventoried everything, I used a word processor. I could follow a general format and still have all the exceptions I wanted.
I have also tried many of the tried and true inventory systems available on the market. Even a few designed for dealers. CoinWorld offers a nice program for U.S. coins, but to be honest, Excel is just as easy. You can seperate pages by denomination, add links to photos either saved on your hard drive or web accessed. Created catagories for prices paid, and current values. Why pay for a program that isn't tailored made to your inventory? With a spreadsheet, you are only limited by your imagination.
If you are buying numismatic material now, and if you are thinking of buying inventory software, also, then perhaps a rewarding strategy is to buy less of all that and buy yourself Microsoft Office (assuming that you are running on an Intel/Windows platform; Microsoft Office has been ported to the Macintosh, and there are other programs for the Mac in addition). Of course, once you start designing spreadsheets and databases and such, you have to ask yourself, "At what point did I stop collecting coins and become a computer programmer?"
There are two ways to look at this. Sure you can use Excel or some other spreadsheet program and take the time to not only build the spreadsheet, creating all the various categories, but to enter all the coins by hand as well. Or you can buy a program with all of it and more already built in. But to my way of thinking - the time it would take me to build such a spreadsheet is worth more than the $50 - $75 a quality program would cost. And if you don't already have Excel - you can expect to pay almost $200 or more to purchase it. Seems like a no brainer to me.
I tried a LOT of Coin programs but finally (because I wasn't completely satisfied with them) I'm building a spreadsheet, things change, I used to like coin programs but when I tried them seriously I didn't, now I find excell way more usefull than what I thought...the best part is that this is completely customized for my needs. ...however (so far) I want to use it as a checklist so it's goin pretty simple so far, no mintage or any particular stuff, just what coins I have divided into dollars, half-dollars, quaters, dimes etc...and inside of each sheet, year mint mark, missing coins in bold color...simple yet useful.
nice! did you created any form to input the each coin info or you just type them into the DB? I would like to create some forms...a little website inside my computer...but I've never been any good with ASP or DB's...
I use Coin Elite from Trove Software. I have been very satisfied for ten years or more. Tried a couple others but always come back to Coin Elite. Gary
I tried Coin Elite, but as Coin Organizer but not install on my computer (im running on XP-pro) I always have the "cannot run on MS-DOS" or something like that...when trying to install.
there are loads of freeware cataloging programs available.lots use them for mp3s or video collections or for buisness stock lists. i wouldnt spend the money on exel just to catalogue, however if you have it then you could use it, if not go grab a freeware inventory catalog
I am a computer geek by profession and the database is complete with forms for entering new pieces, searching, and creating just about any kind of lists. I'm still a novice with websites, though.
Yeah, you can find freeware around...but finally I found another use for excell...other than college work...also coin organizers (at least for me) has too many things that I would really use...I mean, space to place info...I just like the basics...and excell does that very well...
