Do you use a checklist when building your collection?

dan1ecu · April 23, 2005 7:32AM

Do you list in advance the dates and grades that you'll need for your collection and then use your list when shopping around?

Do you think it's best to stick to a specific plan when building a set, even if it could take a long time to complete it, or do you tend to make compromises for the sake of getting a set built more quickly?

Dan

21Walker · April 23, 2005 7:37AM

Yes, if it's a new set and I haven't gotten the album yet, I usually list the purchases I've made for that particular set. Once I have the album, it's no problem just looking at the voids in the album.....Rick

TommyType · April 23, 2005 7:37AM

With my memory, I'd be lost without my checklist! Even with it, I've picked up some duplicates due to poor checklist management.

As for the "plan", I think it's inevitable that your plan, desires, interests, cash situation, etc., will change over time. It's good to HAVE a plan, but be prepared to adjust it over time, and not beat yourself up over it.

After all, the goal is to enjoy yourself....not to adhere to a plan!

BillJones · April 23, 2005 7:42AM

Yes, often a mental one.

BUT recently when I was looking for the modern commemorative coins in the wooden boxes I used an old Gray Sheet and small piece of paper.

My checklists seldom change. A few years ago I ran into a list that I had made, which included a few "dream coins" like an early $10 gold piece. Sure enough about six years later I looked at that old list and I had gotten everything, including the $10 gold coin!

Barry · April 23, 2005 7:57AM

Yes, since I collect by set. I use my software (Coin Elite) to print the needs list, and I make additional notes as needed.

RYK · April 23, 2005 8:37AM

There are 58 coins in my 3 series of primary interest. I know which ones I have and which I need. No physical list is needed.

mercurynut · April 23, 2005 8:39AM

My check list has the coin I am looking for in what grade and the max price I am willing to pay for a blast white example.

mgoodm3 · April 23, 2005 8:41AM

In the indian cents I know what I have and what I don't. Prices are harder to keep track of.

anablep · April 23, 2005 9:17AM

Yes.

The list in the Morgan & Peace VAM book is my checklist as it is ordered by date and mintage. I also keep a list with me that I printed out.

nwcs · April 23, 2005 9:20AM

I tried it several times but always ended up buying outside the list.

Shamika · April 23, 2005 1:16PM

<< <i>Do you list in advance the dates and grades that you'll need for your collection and then use your list when shopping around? >>

Absolutely! It's actually quite fun. I've got lists for collections that I've not even started on.

mirabela · April 23, 2005 1:23PM

Yes. I'll diverge from the list to buy something nicer than what the list said to get, though. Consequently, there are a few relative jewels to be seen "slumming" among the rest of my coins.

WACoinGuy · April 23, 2005 1:48PM

I don't have a physical list, but before I tackle a series of coins, I like to take a look at the coins in the series and decide what I will be buying so I end up with a nicely matched set without breaking the bank. As an example, when I started my set of liberty nickels, I looked at the price guides and saw that the grade I was most comfortable in was MS-64 (primarily looking at the prices of the big keys). Sure, I could have afforded MS-66 coins of the common dates, but I didn't want a set where the keys stood out as lower quality coins. So MS-64 was the grade I chose. And now that my set is done (well, I still have a few MS-63 coins I need to upgrade -- but they're not keys or semi-keys in the series), it looks really nice as a set.

So basically, listing up front what coins and grades you're going to get is a good idea -- that way you'll know what you're in for. Whether you physically carry that list around and check items off is a different thing.

Tootawl · April 23, 2005 1:51PM

I use 2 Excel spreadsheet on a Compaw Ipaq h5455. One speadsheet is for the stuff I have and the other is for the series stuff I need.

09sVDB · April 24, 2005 9:48AM

I also use Coin Elite and Excel.

carl · April 24, 2005 10:25AM

I use scratch paper for my list of what I want or need. It's usually by sets, denomination and fills both sides of the paper. Trouble is after I acquire a few on the list, the list gets raggity and has to be redone. Carry it everywhere just in case.

ChangeInHistory · April 24, 2005 10:27AM

I have 4 series I collect and pretty much know the dates I need. That said I do carry a checklist just to be sure.

coinkat · April 24, 2005 10:44AM

Do what works for you... I will offer the following tip. Most series have certain coins that are tough to get in higher grades and sometimes you just have to have a big net. My point is simply don't buy what is only on your list, consider rarity, quality and how often you may see that coin again in that grade. This works especially if quality is important to you.

yellowjacket · April 24, 2005 10:51AM

I buy the best coins I can afford and then try to stretch it further. In a new series, I go for the keys first! They are the hardest to find and tend to determine how the rest of the collection will follow. They will rarely get any cheaper than they are currently. Although I wouldn't pass on any nice coin for my set. I'm always open to buying a THE coin at the right price that will fit into my collection. When I see it, I know it!
YJ

Baley · April 24, 2005 10:56AM

Here's my Checklist:
1793 half cent
chain cent
wreath cent
flowing hair half dime
small eagle half dime
small eagle dime
small eagle quarter
small eagle half dollar
flowing hair dollar
small eagle DB dollar
all the pre-1808 gold types

C'mon, market crash!

LanLord · April 24, 2005 10:57AM

Yes, I have multiple checklists. My wife makes fun of me because I am constantly losing my check lists. So I continuously make a new checklist, just in time to find the old one as I'm putting away my newest purchases.

I'm sorta dainbread when it comes to that kind of stuff.

LanLord · April 24, 2005 11:03AM

<< <i>Here's my Checklist:
...
small eagle half dollar
...

C'mon, market crash!

>>

1796 or 1797? Please post when you get that one. Has to be the envy of most collectors. At least it's my envy.

jacktheknife · April 24, 2005 11:27AM

I use the registry as my checklist.

Jack

nwcs · April 24, 2005 11:56AM

>Do you think it's best to stick to a specific plan when building a set, even if it could take a long time to complete it, or do you tend to make compromises for the sake of getting a set built more quickly?

Thought I'd answer this part, too, since I forgot earlier. People like me hate collecting by list. I don't build sets, I just buy coins I want to look at. And the coins I want to look at seem to change frequently so I have collection turnover. Although there have been a few coins that have survived several purges. I must really like them!

Do you use a checklist when building your collection?

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