Hello All, New guy to the forum (not quite so new to Numismatics). I have finally decided that an Excel Spreadsheet just isn't enough to keep track of my collection. Shopping around for some good software to help me out. I only collect US Coins so I don't need any World stuff, but would like something user friendly and advanced enough to enter serial numbers from NGC or PCGS. I also will want to be able to sort based on pretty much any field, as well as keep track of up to date values as well as purchase price. Finally, I would like to be able to scan my coins and link the image to the coins info in the database. So lets hear it... Who uses what and why? Thanks
Well, it sound like you just described Heritage MyCollection. It has all of that (i think), you can register and use the collection tracking list for free. Also other cool features such as demand, auto update, etc. www.heritagegalleries.com
Does anyone use "Coin Collector's Assistant" by Carlisle? Seems like pretty nice program to me. Just lookinjg for some reviews.
That's the one big problem with coin collecting software - the preloaded values. I have to see one that was even close to accurate. Of course that is to be expected as none of the published price guides are accurate either - with the exception of the Greysheets. Fairly accurate prices is one advantage that Heritage has over most programs you can load on your computer, not the Numismedia prices - the Heritage index. But then the software programs have other advantages over Heritage. The program I always liked best was Coin Elite.
I also used Coin Elite in the past, and what I didn't like about it was that the Value updates came from the "Red Book" which doesn't list many high grade values like PF-70UC or MS-68RD. Since I have a ton of graded coins, I had to enter those grades and values myself. Do any of you guys know which programs use the Coin World Values and Typing as their value dbase?????
To the best of my knowledge, none of them do. Coin Values is as far from reality as the Red Book is - so it wouldn't do you much good if they did. There is only one way to get accurate values - realized auction prices. The Greysheets are pretty good and many dealers & collectors use them as their bible when it comes to prices. But they stop at MS65 in many cases too - it depends on the coin. And they only offer wholesale values - not retail.
Collection Software The _last_ thing you want to do is download software. Some of these demos do get hit by hackers who install viruses. Yes, everyone has firewalls. Yes, the companies monitor their sites and keep them clean. Still, the risk is there. Goto the websites, read the ordering instructions and _buy_ the demo CD. Then, try them. You have to do that. Asking for opinions is not helpful. These packages are all tried and true products that meet consumer needs. Which consumers? and What needs? are two key questions. You seem interested in automatic pricing. Once you see how these programs work and what they do, that might not be so important. You might want to be able to enter your own prices conveniently and globally. The fact that you started with an Excel spreadsheet is good. You have a better basis for understanding your collection as a data warehouse. Coin Elite Trove Software, P.O. Box 218, Olathe, KS 66051 http://www. trovesoftware.com Coin Inventory Software RIPI (www.ripi.com) by Jan Schwenk Resource International Publishing, Inc. (RIPI) P.O. Box 2061, Frisco, TX 75034-2061 http://download.coinweb.org/COINInventoryReg/ Coin Keeper Hobby Soft by Compu-Quote, 6914 Berquist Avenue, West Hills, California 91307 http://www.compu-quote.net/ Coin Manage Liberty Street Software, 3126 Lednier Terrace, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4Y 4A1 http://www.libertystreet.com CoinsPlus! Platinum DataSouth, 3045 Hacienda CT, Marietta, GA 30066 http://www.dsns.com/ SmartTracker Coins Oakley Data Services, Lion Bldg., Uttoexeter, Staffs ST14 8HZ, United Kingdom. http://www.smartcode.com and from Insight Software Solutions (ISS) , P. O. Box 106, Kaysville, Utah 84037-0106 http://www.wintools.com Village Coin Data Village, #234, 5149 Country Hills Boulevard, NW Suite 103 Calgary Alberta Canada T3A 5K8 http://www.datavillage.com Virtual Coin Cabinet II Data ex Machina, Post Office Box 3030, Union City, California 94587 http://www.dataxm.com I have reviewed numismatic inventory software for Coins magazine, the Celator, and the Numismatist. There is no easy way to answer your question. You have to do the work of shopping for your own needs.
Does anyone use "Coin Collector's Assistant" by Carlisle? Yes I been using it for a few years now. It easy to use, allows you to insert pictures of the coins, easy backup and restoring of data. I really think it is a great program.
I used it for quite a few years without a problem but then it decided to just "quit" working and I lost everything I had done over those years!!! It would delete data on its own and many of the fields just locked-up. It also refused to restore from the back-ups.
