I've amassed quite a fair amount of coins, and I've been putting them all in 2x2s and labeling them thoroughly (date, KM#, mint, and other relevant information). Should I be doing anything else in addition to this? I hear people talk about their digital catalog, with photos of each coin's obv and rev, purchase cost, and all the relevant info. Is this something a lot of numismatists do?
I don't have pictures of all my coins, but I do record how much I paid for everything. I figure this will help whoever gets them when the time comes know about what each is worth.
There is no right or wrong way. Each to his own. To large extent it depends on the value of the coins. If they are valuable enough to be insured then pictures are a good idea. If they are stored in a safety deposit box pictures are nice so you can look at them. If they are likely to have some value as resale then price and value information is useful for your heirs (as long as it is up to date). Beyond that I say to just record whatever you wish. I record a lot more than you mentioned. But then I come from a background of working with databases.
Thanks for the feedback, sakata. I feel like most of the coins I've cataloged have adequate information, but sometimes I don't know if I'm getting into enough detail. Sometimes, especially with Ancients, I'm not sure *what* to include on the 2x2 because I'm behind on my research and history, and don't know the different variations or mint cities of particular Ancients. Are there catalogs (preferably online) that tell you the variations of certain coins?
Well, perhaps I should have said I record a lot, but not on 2x2. It's in a database. I record very little on the actual 2x2. And I know nothing about ancients except that a lot of them seem to post here.
I'm 100% with ldhair on this one. What works for me may not work for you. I only collect ancients and use envelopes not 2x2's. I have photos of every coin and some of them are labeled with info I might need to me reminded of. I also have a computer database and set of 3x5" file cards for each of my coins. I put less on the photos and envelopes but can always use the accession number to find the card or database entry. Since my coins spend most of their lives in a dark bank box, the photos and data are important to me. Your hobby may differ.
One thing I try and do on all coins, no matter what type of holder, is label it with a code of what I paid for the coin. It's a letter code, and my wife knows the key (it's a 10-letter word with no repeating letters), so she knows what I paid for it, and would then have a base to work from if I get hit by a bus. I also like to photo-inventory each coin. It makes it easier (at times) to re-examine a coin, and it's something I truly enjoy doing. Digital albums are a PITA, unless you're well versed in whatever software you choose to use to create it. I'm so-so in Photoshop, and I'm currently doing a digital album of early silver commems, but in all honesty, I doubt I'll do another one in the future. Other then that, I will occasionally re-arrange all my coins, just as something to do. It's your collection. You can be like Sheldon and start cataloging every nuance of each of your coins, or you can be like LaVere Redfield, and put them in bags and drop them down the coal chute. I'm somewhere in the middle. Just enjoy them however you like.
I used to collect uk medals which are named to recipients and can often be researched and a write up produced of the man and his service. I have taken a similar approach to coins and produce a write up on each. For example the write up associated with the image of my membership here is attached. Maybe over the top but gives satisfaction!
Same as others here, only ancient coins for me. I used to put them in 2x2 cardboard holders like this: But these days they go in paper envelopes like such:
HALF THE TIME I STUFF THEM IN JUKE BOXES AND PLAY SONGS THAT CAME OUT THE SAME YEAR AS THE COINS... THE OTHER HALF GOES INTO CANDY MACHINES...
I have a price code that I made a while ago, but I haven't used it yet because all of the coins I've purchased have been under $20, save a few that I feel like I should go back and label. Thanks for reminding me about that, haha
Why'd you stop putting them in 2x2s? I like flipping through and looking at my coins. Otherwise, I wouldn't really be interested in keeping them. Maybe it's just me.
2x2s are great until you have hundreds of coins. After a while you get sick of multiple binders...plus boxes take a lot less room to store far more coins. Excellent especially for safety deposit boxes. Also, once you start to get larger ancient coins such as 40mm+, and especially thick coins, 2x2 do not work for those coins. Envelopes can accomodate thicker coins and larger coins than 2x2 holders. If I want to look at a coin, all I have to do is find it, take it out of the envelope, and put it in my hand. You can actually hold ancient coins.
Thanks for the feedback; I hadn't really considered thicker coins like Greek drachma. I'll look into using enveloped. Do you know if that method is less expensive (buying the envelopes rather than 2x2s)?