keeping track of your coins

[trout]

I finally bit the bullet and started to catalogue my Decimal collections.
I am doing this simply to help prevent myself from buying duplicate coins all the time.
I have only done the $1 and 50 cent albums so far, I will get around to the rest on my next break.

I am usuing Exel and it is coming along nicely :good:
Now if I see something interesting I simply look at the database and see if I actualy NEED that particular coin, Or I can see what I need and hunt for it :yahoo:

[markn]

I've been using excel to track my collection for several years.  It does everything I need it to.

[Bigfellani5]

I sell a database called compass collectables. Suitable for coins, banknotes and stamps or any other collectables you can think of.

[trout]

I've been using excel to track my collection for several years.  It does everything I need it to.

I agree why use anything else? most people know how to use Excel so why bother learning and buying new software when Excel is already installed on the computer :good:
How do you set yours out Mark?

This is how I have mine at the moment;

50 Cents            
1966   pr   bu      coa
1969      unc      coa
1970   Specimine   unc   1989 silver proof   Captain Cook
1971      unc      coa
1972      unc      coa
1973      aunc      coa
1974      unc      coa
1975   pr         coa
1976      unc      coa
1977   pr      1989 silver proof   Silver Jubelee
1978   pr         coa
1979      unc      Double Bar
1980   pr   unc      coa
1981   pr         coa
1981      unc   1989 silver proof   Charles and Dianna
1982   pr   bu   1989 silver proof   Commonwealth games
1983   pr         coa
1984   pr   bu      coa
1985   pr   bu      coa
1986   pr   bu      coa
1987   pr   bu      coa
1988   pr   bu   1988+89 Silver proof   Bicentenial
1989   pr   bu      coa
1990      bu      coa
1991      bu   Silver Proof   Rams head
1992   pr   bu      coa
1993   pr         coa
1994   pr   bu      Year of the Family
1995      bu      coa
1996      bu      coa
1997      VF      coa
1998      bu      Bass and Flinders
1999      bu      coa
2000   pr   unc   EF/aUNC incuse   Millenium
2000      bu   Silver Proof   Royal Visit
2001   all states   bu      Federation
2002      bu      Year of the outback
2003      bu      Volenteers
2003      bu      Golden Jubelee cu/Nickle coin
2004      bu      coa
2004      bu      Pointy "A"
2005      bu   Silver Proof   Commonwealth games
2005      bu      Rememberance
2006      bu   Silver Proof   coa
2006      bu      Commenwealth games (Hocky)
2006      bu      Royal Visit
2007      bu      coa
2007      bu      60th Wedding Anniversary
2008      bu      coa
2008      bu      Boy Scouts
2008      bu      Americas Cup
2009      vf      coa
2009      bu      Moon Landing
2010      bu      coa
2010      bu   gold plated silver proof   Australia Day
2010      bu      Melbourne cup
2010      bu      Royal Engagement
2011      bu      coa
2011      bu      triple 0
2011      bu      National Service
2012   pr   bu   Hypermetallic   coa
2012      bu      Jubelee
2012      bu      Kokoda Trail
2012      bu      year of the Dragon
2013   pr   bu      coa
2013      bu      Bathhurst
2013      bu      Ballet
2013      bu      Surfing
2013      bu      Year of the Snake

[markn]

I have one big worksheet with a number of columns.  Each coin has a unique ID that I write on the holder so I can look back and find it in my catalogue using the Excel search function.  I also link each coin record to an image of the coin.  Using the Excel data autofilter function means I can find coins by country/denomination/year/grade whatever very easily.  Here's what a few rows look like:



I like the idea of a dedicated collection database like the one bigfella is selling but I know in practice that entering data into such programs is laborious and I just wouldn't keep it up to date.  Entering data into Excel is much, much faster, and even that takes a long time.

[trout]

Crikey mark, Now THATS a database ( makes mine look like scribble )
I have NO idea how to add the links to pic's in Excel, Bloody good idea tho :good:

[markn]

Crikey mark, Now THATS a database ( makes mine look like scribble )
I have NO idea how to add the links to pic's in Excel, Bloody good idea tho :good:

Just store all your coin images in a folder on your PC somewhere.  To insert a link to a picture in Excel is dead simple, just right click on an empty cell and there'll be an option for "Hyperlink" or "Insert Hyperlink".  That'll pop up a window that allows you select a file, navigate to where the image is that you want to link to, select it, click OK and hey presto link to your image.

[trout]

I may have to upgrade, Excel keeps coming up with a problem window when i try to get the file :dash1:
I don't think I will worry about it at this stage, otherwise I would have to take a pic of every coin and that would be a major pain in the bum:angel:
Simply knowing what I have and don't have will suffice for now, It will save me heaps that I can spend on coins I need instead of coins I THINK I need :ebay::yahoo:

[Fr45h3R]

I started with Excel but I converted it to Google Docs.
I can access the sheet on my phone so I know what I do / don't have when i'm away from my home pc, and you don't have to worry about your PC /  hard drive crashing.

[lacey]

And don't forget to add a total at the bottom and then everytime you add another coin with the purchase price and a value price at the time you bought it, it will automatically add it up and you can then see how much you've paid and how much you have saved according to what the value is at the time.  

it may give you a fright, so see how much you've been paying.

[Fr45h3R]

it may give you a fright, so see how much you've been paying.

This figure is password protected from my better half

[trout]

it may give you a fright, so see how much you've been paying.


That is precisely why I never put the purchase price on the list or anywhere for that matter.
It would scare the Bejesus out of me and the Missus would take me out the back yard and shoot me if she knew how much I spend on coins:angel:

[ausjack]

Pffff god you carry on..she'd only shoot ya in ther foot or leg ya sook..man up, or I can back ya up :friends: I'll be ya wingman :crazy_pilot:

[Goldseeker]

I scan all my coins, then introduce a smaller picture of both sides of the coin into my database.   I also use excell but it is not as extensive as markn's.

I then save all my pickies to a separate hard drive and then I give my insurance company the hard drive and take the old one home.

I rotate the hard drives about once every two years.

I only update the values for the coins each year and add any ones.

I don't worry about purchase price records.   That is recorded in my head.   No one can get into there to find out how much I spend on coins.

[Triggersmob]

I don't worry about purchase price records.   That is recorded in my head.   No one can get into there to find out how much I spend on coins.

Goldseeker, you are feeling tired.....