A quick introduction and first question I am the son of an avid collector from the 40s through 70s. I have some fond memories of going through bags of coins in the early 60s with dad at the kitchen table. Dad passed away about 10 years ago. He stopped serious collecting about 1980. I have his collection, but really have no idea what to do with it. It’s been in my gun safe since he passed. It does not bring me any pleasure with it sitting in the safe. My interest is in auto racing so my time is spent wrenching on the race car. It always rubs me the wrong way when I hear of a car sitting in someone’s garage rotting. I’m kind of getting that feeling about the collection. It’s just sitting in the safe. I recently read about PVC damage and can’t help but think we probably have that going on as many of the coins were placed in books with plastic sheets. Ok I’m rambling a bit. Sorry. The question. How does one go about cataloging the collection? Honestly, the process seems a bit overwhelming to me. I recall comments that the collection was complete 1900 to date, late seventies, except for gold coins and a few dollars. There are also many from the 1800s as well. At this point, I have no way of knowing for sure that the statement is true or what is actually in the collection. Once cataloged, how does one find a home for such a collection? The quality of the coins very greatly. Most were found in circulation so condition is all over the board. I searched and found a database program called Coin Keeper but have no idea what the best product would be for my needs. Having raced BMWs for years, I can pretty much tell a person anything they need to know about racing the platform at an amateur club level. I figure the same level of knowledge must be present in a forum such as this about collecting. Thanks for reading this far. Suggestions greatly appreciated.
Greetings and Welcome to the forum. As far as cataloging goes, you've gotta pick up that first coin... A good computer program (like Appleworks or Excel) always helps too. Take Care Ben
PbFut, What I can tell you as an amateur collector is this. If you want to keep and catalog it, buy some books on coins. Learn what you can about them. Sounds to me like there is sentimental reasons for keeping this collection. Learn as much as you can. As for storing there are many ways, 2x2, Folders, albums, and more. I tend to use Dansco Albums as they protect the coins well, and you see both sides, but the albums do run $20.00 and up for each series. There is 2X2's but they can be expensive aswell due to needing 2x2 flaps, pages then folders to place them in. I am in the process of removing my collection from 2x2 and placing them in Dansco albums. Dansco Albums in my mind will actually save you money and are IMHO better for the collection. As far as books go to http://www.whitmanbooks.com, there is a large selection there. Hope this helps. Regards, S
Howdy Pb - Welcome to the Forum !! If you wish to catalog the collection there are some web sites that can help. You can use - Coin Facts - to help you identify the coins and find out basic info about them. And you can use - Heritage - to actually catalog them and keep track of it. Both sites are free and you will have to register at Heritage to use the My Collection feature. But once you use it, it will keep track of everything for you and the software does all the work, you just have to enter the data. It's really easier than it sounds - mostly it's just point and click. And it will allow you to print everything in various formats that you choose.
Welcome to the forum! Ask as many questions as you want, we don't bite too hard. Look forward to seeing you around! Phoenix
If you feel there may be a PVC problem I would be taking care of this now and not latter. Images of the current holders and storage method will help folks here give you a better idea if this is really a problem for you. PVC can be removed but it may have already done damage to the coin. Take care of this issue soon.
Thank you all for the tips. I have some work ahead of me. I'll drop by from time to time and share my progress.
Welcome! Goo dluck in the work ahead - and if you have ANY questions, people here are very friendly and knowledgeable, and alot of folks would be very happy to help you!
