How to Create a Coin Collection List

A coin collection list helps you organize your coins so that they are easy to find and so that you can keep track of the value of your collection. The easiest way to create a coin collection list is to use a spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel, to keep track of your purchases and sales and the total value of your coin collection. You can also choose to track additional information that is important to you, such as the type and legend of the coin.

The first step in preparing a coin collection list is to lay out your entire collection and survey what you have. For most collectors, this will mean sorting pennies, dimes, quarters, and half dollars according to their date and then arranging them by size. For silver, gold and platinum coins, you can also categorize them by weight (one ounce, quarter ounce, etc). Alternatively, you can purchase purpose-built coin albums that will help you to group your coins by type or year.

Once you know what you have in your collection, the next step is to figure out what you still need. You can do this by reading the guide books for United States coins, known as the Red Book, or asking a knowledgeable numismatist to assist you. Many coin dealers publish a list of what they are willing to buy for particular dates or types, which is helpful to have in mind when you shop.