Would like to hear everyone's thoughts and opinions on any coin organizing software programs that have been used, or any ideas on how else I can start to organize my collection. Thanks:computer:
I subscribe to Coin World and Coin Values. They have an online inventory application that I use for all of my coins and it's free with the subscription. It also has feature whereby you can download you coin inventory into an EXEL spreadsheet just so you have a backup.
I made my own Exel spreadsheet, works great once you make you first page(template) then just make a copy of it for each type that you collect.
I have used spreadsheets myself. Not necessarily the prettiest setup, but you can sure manipulate the listing rather quickly and spread it out in numerous ways using multiple sheets, et al. If you are programming savvy, you can take any number of open source "catalog" programs and revise them to suit your numismatic needs (for instance, taking a music cataloging program and changing the information to match your numismatic needs/goals). As far as actual programs, I've never used any.
Forgot to add, What do you want to do with you collection listing? if you use a "company premade sofware" you can only get to your collection from the computer that it is on. With a home made data base you can store it on a zip drive and have it with you at work or travels. just plug in the zip drive into any comp. and there is your collection. you get the idea.
Exact Change Hi: I am using Exact Change From Wildman Software. It is a prety good program. I have found some minor issues or lack of features that I am compling and will be sending to the developer. They seem very receptive to recommendations from what I have seen so far. G.E.
I use CoinManage also. It is fairly easy to use and you can customize each coin if you wish. I also like the prices feature. I can go to ebay, look up a coin and get a value to a coin (to me its just a bit higher than greysheet) But it gives me a ball park figure. Another feature that I like about it is that I can go into the database and add bullion bars and coins and give them a value of B.V. (bullion value) Then I can add my bullion bars (both gold and silver) and have them cumputed to give me an up to date value. This software has a feature where you can go get the current bullion value of silver, platinum and gold and then have all the B.V. values updated with a click of a button. One downside is that you cannot go in and customize your menus and toolbars. It seems to me that they could have done this to make it easier for those who like to customize.
Has anyone tried EZCoin? Interesting screen shot... On their web site they offer a free 30 day demo... EZCoin LINK
I use Carlisle's Collector Assistant. The edition is several years old but it meets my needs. I think the interface is a little less user friendly than other programs but once aquainted, it really isn't all that bad at all. Let's just say it has a learning curve.... I really like the ability to print out 2X2 inserst, inventory index cards and especially inventory lists. All of this is customizable so you you print out paper copies of whatever you have entered (purchase price, current value, etc.) Additionally you can link photographs to any coin which is really powerful. Hope this helps out.
Here is a thought. Remember that most computers have Excel. You do not have to add a new program into your computer. You do not have to buy a new program. The biggest thing I've found about Excel is you do not have to add a new program to someone else's computer if you want to use, see, check something and your not at home. Most people today would not allow you to add a strange program into their computer. Same with buisnesses, hotels, libraries, etc. So if you use a program for your coins, your computer is the only place it will work. Now if your computer crashes, hopefully not, and you downloaded that program and it is no longer available, so all your info is shot. I like Excel since I can back up the entire listing of coins I made and take it anywhere and if I want to show someone or check something, I can.
I use spread sheet as well and I make one as I go along. Since many are using excel..... does anyone have a spread sheet for Buffalo nickel set you're willing to share?
Here is a newer website that allows you to put up both a WANT and HAVE list. And then click a coin and it searches everyone else's list. So if you put up a HAVE coin then click the date, it reports all members who want that coin. The lists are also available to the public. Not very many people there yet. But it is a slick tool. It is kinda clunky to add coins but it went pretty quick once I figured it out. You can take coins off or reduce the number you have very easily once they are entered. So you can manage the lists. And you can even hide a coin from the public views. If more people would use this, it would make trading a whole lot easier. http://www.ispcowboy.com/mycoins UncleKin
Only two. So the search does not work well yet. It needs probably at least 5 or six people. But I put my lists there cause it is easy to add or delete coins and it is online where everyone can see. When I want to show somebody my coin list, I just give them the url. And I can change the list and all previous people that have my list linked can see the changes. If I gave an excell to someone, they will never see my changes. So that is why I stay with online lists. UncleKin