Tips on organizing large coin problem

[Guest]

As BOB has pointed out to me more than once that organization is the key to this hobby. I'm trying to figure out how to word this where I don't sound like an idiot. I have been searching rolls for many years to say the least and I put them in tubes and that's is how I have kept them.When one is full I put it in the box for that year and on to new tube. How would you go about sorting out all the rpms in the tubes.Here is a couple pics of the project I am trying to figure out on tackling. The one box is just my 1960d rpms and I am sure there are more of that year tucked further back in closet. Dont know how to get photos in the middle of the post so look at pics then continue reading.





I have tried before and i end up just getting confused as hell after awhile. Do you find a few rpms and then search all the tubes for that one and continue that process or what? I have tried taking pictures of them and markers and going that route but it seems to fall apart after say 10 or 15 different rpms. **** I hope this made some sort of sense to a few of you. I am asking for a game plan on how to tackle this. I have always liked finding them not attributing them

[Maineman750]

It all depends on why you are sorting them.To sell,give away,or hoard ?

[Magers]

I would get a piece of paper and make a1 inch by 1 inch grid, open the first tube and attribute the first rpm and label the first square with that attribution and place the coin in it. Continue in that manner until your face falls completely off your head because this is a massive undertaking with 60-D RPM's.

If you did this a roll at a time and list them on ebay as you go, it shouldn't be too awful... after about 10 rolls you'll probably be a pretty adept attributer

[jhcons]

It all depends on why you are sorting them.To sell,give away,or hoard ?

I was a hoarder for all them years Now I am selling to build my hi grade regular Lincolns. I have already sold 10 or more full boxes of all the rolls that I have looked though. Money I make from selling variety collection I use for buying PCGS Lincolns.

[jhcons]

I would get a piece of paper and make a1 inch by 1 inch grid, open the first tube and attribute the first rpm and label the first square with that attribution and place the coin in it. Continue in that manner until your face falls completely off your head because this is a massive undertaking with 60-D RPM's.

I have tried something very much like that and it seemed to work fine for a bit until I was getting more and more rpms and then unlisted ones into the play. I would lose focus. This round I am going TRY and not get agitated and just stick with it. That way seemed like the best way to. I am wanting to hear other peoples opinions. Thanks for yours

[jhcons]

I would get a piece of paper and make a1 inch by 1 inch grid, open the first tube and attribute the first rpm and label the first square with that attribution and place the coin in it. Continue in that manner until your face falls completely off your head because this is a massive undertaking with 60-D RPM's.

If you did this a roll at a time and list them on ebay as you go, it shouldn't be too awful... after about 10 rolls you'll probably be a pretty adept attributer

Did not see the last edit part you did. Not bad idea.

[liveandievarieties]

I hear you Jimmy, it's been BAD for me! In fact, if Charity hadn't come along, business couldn't be what it is for us. In simple terms, this is a system that works for us in cherrypicking:

Expensive varieties go in flips in a stock box for later sale.

Mid range RPMs (top 100 & other dramatic RPMs) go in their own tube.
I also have separate tubes for minor to moderate doubled dies, BIEs, Minor RPMs, strong die clashes and several different types of commonly encountered varieties.

I also have several Ziploc bags tacked to the wall with names on it like "Bob" and "Wiles" etc. that's where I put potential new varieties that need attribution.

When searching circulated bags from the bank we also save ALL copper as well as BU 80s & BU early 90s memorials. All S-mint cents go into their own pile. These are things most cherrypickers throw back but can fetch a healthy profit when sold in bulk (some 1980s rolls go for as much as $25 per roll).

I inevitably end up with all sorts of piles on our desk. Every month or so I'm forced to just scoop EVERYTHING into a bag to clean up. But, when I go back through that pile of randomness, it's super easy and quick because I recognize every coin under the loupe.

In a nutshell, I try to keep all coins in a stock box or in a tube. This clears out a lot of clutter and keeps me married! It also provides a little more clarity of thought than I used to have.

I guess in the end, I didn't answer your question about your ALREADY unattributed mess, but I've got the same thing, so I'll be reading some good ideas here!

[eaxtellcoin]

Hey Jim,
What I used to do is sort the rolls that you buy. If you buy many rolls from the same bank they should generally have the same RPM's in them. Go through the rolls and place each specific RPM in it's own roll. Attribute when you get done.

I keep a 2X2 box with coins that James, "to Minor to List" in the box just so I don't ever send the same coin again. This also helps with the other coins I buy from folks that are attributed,"By them" and are not exactly what they think. ALOT of these RPM's are sooo similar that if you don't tube them - you will make the same mistake again and again and again...

[jhcons]

Chris that once a month thing of having to scope everything up is what kills me. Then I find myself looking thru same thing a year later. I get tired of the same date and saw screw it then I am back where I'm at. Also I don't search circulated stuff unles I get it from my pocket change. I look it it right when the clerk gives it to me. Pocket knife and loupe in pocket everyday.
I like the idea about bag to bob thing. I guess this is a common problem with the ones that just have to many. I even went thru them 60d tubes and made sure I put all rpms in same kind tube

[jhcons]

Hey Jim,
What I used to do is sort the rolls that you buy. If you buy many rolls from the same bank they should generally have the same RPM's in them. Go through the rolls and place each specific RPM in it's own roll. Attribute when you get done.

I keep a 2X2 box with coins that James, "to Minor to List" in the box just so I don't ever send the same coin again. This also helps with the other coins I buy from folks that are attributed,"By them" and are not exactly what they think. ALOT of these RPM's are sooo similar that if you don't tube them - you will make the same mistake again and again and again...

How do you keep track of tubes with all the different rpms I know that may sound stupid but say I have 10 unlisted ones and 15 that are listed. Now this is what happens. I know I have this rpm already tubed now I have to figure out which one. I started my own system long ago. Instead of finding James or chucks numbers I made my own as jhmm1 and so on. When I sold my last 1960 d rpm collection I was up to 60 something of my own. And I put 1500 1960 d rpms on eBay.
I like all these ideas and basically what it is boiling down to is just making sure I keep the tubes labeled and in same spot to match up with my photos in computer.
I'm not sure I am going to have the patience for the 1960 series yet. That's why so many. May start with some wheats that are not so many tubes. Lol

[jhcons]

I have some one helping me that is so much more organized then me. Sent him 5 or so rolls and said he could have keep a couple of each of any duplicates and any new finds. Hoping that what he comes up with will help me on the ones I have

[Roller]

The only way I could deal with this is to do a limited # of tubes per day. And I mean 5-10. Devise a plan on where things are to go and just keep truckin until it gets done. If you try to do it all in a continuous stretch you'll go nuts.

[georoxx]

If you try to do it all in a continuous stretch you'll go nuts.

You'll have a decent chance of going nuts if you attempt it at all.

Big job. (I may be in the majority here, but mine are a mess. LOL)

-George

[eaxtellcoin]

Jim start with one date and one date only. Pick out the ones that are relativiely easy to I.D. - Put them in a roll I.D the roll and variety and don't worry about the stage. Or try to put all The easts/Wests/North/South in there individual roll and then try to I.D. which it is. Takes time because I Always I.D'ed what I found at the time and never let them stack up - Wanted to sell the dupes so I could buy what I needed.

[jhcons]

Jim start with one date and one date only. Pick out the ones that are relativiely easy to I.D. - Put them in a roll I.D the roll and variety and don't worry about the stage. Or try to put all The easts/Wests/North/South in there individual roll and then try to I.D. which it is. Takes time because I Always I.D'ed what I found at the time and never let them stack up - Wanted to sell the dupes so I could buy what I needed.

That's it. Oh and that one box is one year. I have 62d,63d.64d just like. That box. Probably have more 63d than 60d but I have not been through them to make sure they are all rpms like I did the 60d.
I like that idea about just separating them by north south etc... And I forgot who's idea this one was but he said just do a few at a time then put them on eBay then continue like that.

Man it would be nice to find some # 4 in there.