Cataloguing Your Coin Collection

Coin collectors are different from accumulators because the former keep a catalogue of their collection.

A written record of your coin collection allows you to monitor what you currently have, track its value and set future goals. A catalogued collection also makes it easier for your heirs to sell if they do not want to keep it. The records must contain the details of each coin, how much you bought them for and their current value. This makes sure that your heirs are paid properly when they decide to liquidate it.

Ways to Catalogue Your Collection

Coin cataloguing is not difficult, but it can be tedious, as you have to be detailed about your recording. There are several ways to catalogue your collection for your reference.

Notebooks

Notebooks are an old-fashioned way to catalogue your coin collection. Using a pen and ruler, start making columns to jot down detailed information about your coins. Here are some of the basics that your catalogue must have if you use a notebook:

1. Country
2. Variety
3. Year
4. Mintmark
5. Grade
6. Purchase date
7. Purchase price
8. Date sold
9. Sale price
10. Quantity

Checklist

A checklist is a simple way to catalogue your coin collection while you plan on which coins to add. Notebooks allow you to get creative, but a checklist is more organized. It has a type, denomination, year and mintmark for United States series coins. You can add more sections to your checklist to make it comprehensive, especially for tax purposes.

Spreadsheets

Simple programs such as Microsoft Excel let you monitor your coin collection and transactions. This program makes it easy for you to delete and add lines to each column and row, sort your coins and lets you calculate their value. It is also easy to add information using Excel.

Cataloguing Software

For enthusiasts, you can get software specifically for cataloguing your coin collection.

Some are free, some are at an affordable $20-$30 and others are pricier with more features. Its ease of use, user-friendly screens and a feature to allow you to organize your collection, pricing information and coin revaluation based on current prices are some of the things you should look for in software you buy.

You get what you pay for when you purchase coin-cataloguing software. Look for a product that has a free trial version or a refund guarantee if you do not like it.

These different coin-cataloguing methods will help you monitor and update your collection. Find out more about coin cataloguing at Colonial Acres Coins.