How well do you even know what you own?

Mercfan

I just read a post by Lincoln'sRule on the Registry Forum that refers to BU rolls of 1954 and 1955 cents, and it occurred to me that I didn't know whether I own any BU rolls in those two dates. (I checked and rediscovered that I have rolls of D and S for both of those dates, but not the Philly rolls.)

Then the thought occurred that I'm often checking to see whether or not I own various numismatic items that I see discussed or advertised.

It could be that my memory has headed south, or that this is a sign that I've exceeded the ideal amount of numismatic material that one should possess.

On the other hand, it could be a sign that I've reached some sort of "promised land" of coin collecting--I have way more nice stuff than I can even remember from one day to the next.

How long has it been since you had a good mental handle on exactly what you own? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

MrHalfDime

There was a time when I could retain the information I needed on my collection in my head, relying purely upon memory to serve me at coin shows and dealer's shops. However, as my collecting interests began to focus on just one denomination, and my interests went well beyond just date or date/mint collecting, to die marriages and even die states, I found that I needed help in keeping track of my holdings. If one were to plot a graph of my expanding collection, and another of my ever-failing memory, when these plots intersected, I was in trouble. With a half dime reference collection numbering nearly 2000 pieces, it is difficult to impossible to keep track of all of the required information strictly in your head. I now use a custom relational database, loaded into a laptop computer, with all of the information I need instantly at my fingertips. It is constantly in use at home, on-line, and always with me at shows. I could not survive without it, nor would I dare make a decision to purchase a coin without refering to it, or I would have unecessary duplication.

carl

There are 3 signs of old age. Forgetfulness is one of them and I can't remember what the other 2 are.
I too used to know all my coins way, way, way back when I could also remember why I chased girls, who had the fastest car, gas was 0.23 cents per gallon, a 1916D Mercury dime was $1.50.
Then not long ago I wondered how many rolls of 1943 steel cents I had. Opened boxes, cans, jars, vaults, etc. and there are coins everywhere.
Got out the computer and started a list of all my coins. Albums took about 25 pages, rolls took a few pages, coins in 2x2's took several pages, etc.
So I stopped that and said to myself, SELF, the next time you feel energetic, lay down until the feeling goes away.

Barndog

I'm able to recall much of my primary collection from memory, but don't recall everything. I typically carry a spreadsheet at shops or shows that tells me what my collection looks like. The spreadsheet helps me to avoid purchase of duplicates or lower grade examples of coins I already own. I still make a mistake every now and then, but fortunately, with bust half dimes in XF-AU, the mistake is generally not too expensive. I won't make a purchase for my type set unless I have my 7070 spreadsheet with me, or better yet the 7070 album itself in hand to compare potential purchases side-by-side with the coin in my album.

TorinoCobra71

Thanks to CoinManage™ My memory gets refreshed quite often!

TorinoCobra71

Myqqy

I'm still only 36, and find myself losing track of what I have in my collection- so it's not just old age or memory problems. The nice thing is that cataloging my collection is helpful, and enjoyable in its own right....

jayboxx

Good question. I just took my dimes out last night so I could remember what I had there, but I also have a spreadsheet of most of them as well.

mozin

As I age, I cannot remember nearly as well. My solution is to sell a lot of my collection that I least care about, and use the money to buy a couple of much more expensive coins.

Boothill40

I keep everything cataloged, not so much for myself but so my family knows what and what value things are in my collection had a friend pass a few years ago and the family got taken on his clasic cars by a so called friend.

BECOKA

I can name just about every coin in my collection. It is actually getting smaller as time goes. I just sold 10 nice coins to get one really nice coin so the collection is getting even smaller as my attention gets more focused.

RYK

I have about 80 certified coins, and I can name them, the grade, and ballpark the price paid (+/- 10%) for all of them.

My raw coins, including the ones in my Dansco 7070, I am far less sure. I certainly remember the more expensive or interesting ones, though, offhand, I could not tell you the dates of any of my capped bust coins, some of my setaed coins, and nearly any of the 20th century coins.

Boom

I can remember VERY well.

JJM

im very diligent about keep my spreadsheet up to date on file and hardcopy...always have a sleeve or so for 2x2's for coin club, flea markets when needed,...these are lump summed on the sheet

AgMe

I have no clue on what I own anymore... then again it's about "taking care" of them for the next generation anyways...

jdimmick

I can remember what resides in my personal collection, what I once owned, and how much I paid as well remember each and ever piece currently in my re-sell inventory and its cost.

MFH

Aside from journals, I also use "My Heritage" to keep track of each collection.

JrGMan2004

<< <i>There was a time when I could retain the information I needed on my collection in my head, relying purely upon memory to serve me at coin shows and dealer's shops. However, as my collecting interests began to focus on just one denomination, and my interests went well beyond just date or date/mint collecting, to die marriages and even die states, I found that I needed help in keeping track of my holdings. If one were to plot a graph of my expanding collection, and another of my ever-failing memory, when these plots intersected, I was in trouble. With a half dime reference collection numbering nearly 2000 pieces, it is difficult to impossible to keep track of all of the required information strictly in your head. I now use a custom relational database, loaded into a laptop computer, with all of the information I need instantly at my fingertips. It is constantly in use at home, on-line, and always with me at shows. I could not survive without it, nor would I dare make a decision to purchase a coin without refering to it, or I would have unecessary duplication. >>

I have begun to do the same thing as Steve... I used to be able to remember what I have. For a little bit, I had sticky notes in my LM book with a note of when I had a marriage and what the grade was. But now, I've started to memorize how to identify the marriages, so for a few dates, I no longer look at my book, b/c there's only certain marriages I'm specifically looking for in a particular date, so that I don't need to look at the book to find these, so I don't see my notes... But from now on when I walk a show, I'll have my wishlist print out