Question:
I have a program/database manager, CoinManage 2003. It is
satisfactory in most regards, but before I spend too much more time
cataloging my collection with it I would like your opinion. Is there
a better program around?
I'm looking at 'Coin Collector's Assistant' Value Package, which
includes values and Grading Assistant. The package costs $112.22 with
shipping. Values subscription is $16.95, but I don't know if that is
payable on a per incidence basis or has to be pre-paid.
http://www.brent-krueger.com/software.html
This is quite a bit more expensive than the program I've already paid
money for. So, I'd like to hear from someone who is familiar with it,
OR yet another program they like. Maybe I should be satisfied with
CoinManage? I'll be spending a LOT of time with one of them and
before I spend too much time I want to be as sure as possible that it
is a program I will be happy with over the long haul. So, your
experienced opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Answer:
A: Since no two collectors collect the same way, any general purpose software
you buy will have some annoying shortcomings that don't quite suit your
needs. You may discover this right away, or you may discover this after
specializing in something that doesn't fit the software. As for the value
update subscriptions, those are only good if all your coins are textbook for
the grades supported. If they're not, or if you've specialized into an area
not covered, you're left determining the values on your own. For keeping
track of your collection, it's more important to keep track of what you paid
than current value, anyway, since the current value is only what someone
will pay you for it, and I don't know of any value guides that buy coins.
Q: Maybe I should be satisfied with
CoinManage?
A: If you've already paid for it, spend a good amount of time with it before
you invest money in something else. Catalog a random sample of your
collection and see how easy it is to get used to it. A user interface that
seems to work well at first might seem cumbersome as you get used to using
the software quickly. See how easy it is to catalog some of your more odd
odds and ends.
