For some time now I've stated/believed that I was a coin collector. This I've recently discovered is just untrue. Looking through my tonnage has led me to the simple fact that I am a hoarder. I think it would simplify my life to make the transition. Do I sell off all the junk & restart collections with only the finest examples I can afford? Don't get me wrong, I have a 3/4 complete V nickel set in g-vg, type sets, etc that is not what I consider junk, along with many other coins I do not refer to as junk. But I have way too much unspecific common circulated pieces. Storage, I have quite a few coins in 2x2 holders, some in display boxes, some in albums, some in airtites, some graded in holders, & even some in little plastic bead bags. This is going to be a process & a half. Where do I start? Do I need coin management software? I heard that if you join the ANA you can get software, & 10 coins graded at a discount. All ideas & feedback are appreciated. Thanks
I am the same as you, I hoarded everything that had to do with coins and I put together a partial set of everything possible that was relatively common or cheap and all of it is in poor or mediocre condition. I still have all of that stuff, nicely organized and displayed on my bedroom floor, but I also decided to put together a set of Peace dollars, which I did, and am gearing up to start another complete set of coins.
You definitely are a collector, not all of your coins have to be pristine condition, you just have to enjoy what you do and like the coins you have, eventually as you get more into the hobby you will want nicer things and have more ambitious goals and price ranges.
I'd say you're definitely a collector. You just need to add a little organization to your collection. I've found that albums and folders are a great way to do this. You can buy a DANSCO album for most series of US coins, as well as type sets. I think tha DANSCO albums are a very nice way to display raw coins. If DANSCO albums are out of your budget, try the Whitman or Harris folders, they're really inexpensive (you can pick them up used at most coin shops for a buck, they're only 2.99 new). Another advantage to albums and folders is that they give some direction to your collecting as you pursue the completion of a series through filling the holes. Another easy way to get organized is to create an inventory list or spread-sheet, again this can be as simple as a hand written list of each coin in your collection, when you acquired it, what you paid for it, its current value. Or you can go with excel spreadsheets, fancy coin collecting software or even some on line tools that will help you. Take these two simple steps and your hoard will start to look and feel more like a collection. Whatever you decide, good luck!
If you sign up on NGC's website with a free account, you can access free software that does all that was mentioned above and gives you a value and more
Thanks all, kinda confirms that it is mostly the organization/cataloging side of it that is the key. I've got the dollars logged, going to dread getting to the cents & foriegn coins. I'm going to look into the NGC software. I really need to find/list some of my more excessive duplicates for sale/trade.
I would start a high grade type set. Some types are ahrd but you can go at it slowly and buy good coins. When complete, the set will be well worth it.
I'm similar. I don't buy sets, or attempt to make complete sets, i buy by the piece. If i like it's appeal, I'll buy it regardless if i have that date. For example, I have 8 1933-S Walkers. All VF or better. I have them all because they look pretty.
