Coin Keeper Deluxe
reviewed by Rick Fischer
| Software Review Coin Keeper Deluxe reviewed by Rick Fischer |
|
The profile of people who belong to a PC users group probably match up nicely
with collectors of such things as stamps and coins. That's why I am excited
to tell you about Coin Keeper and Coin Keeper Deluxe.
Coin Keeper has been around a while but it is a niche product. And, if you aren't
looking in the right places you might never find it.
No advanced computer skills are required. You do need to know something about
coins.
A Database
Coin Keeper and Coin Keeper Deluxe are databases. You enter information about
items in your collection and the program creates a file that stores your information
and lets you access it in a number of useful ways. You do all this from the
collection entry window.
Coin Keeper Deluxe has another feature that every collector should like. It
knows the current value of your coin. A database can do that. The U.S. database
stores coin prices for every known coin, uncirculated set or proof set from
1793 to present. Ok, it doesn't track the daily fluctuations of coins but it
does anchor them in the same way that coin books do each year. And, should you
disagree with the assigned price, you can override it. You can even make adjustments
for coins that have one grade on one side and another grade on the other side.
You can purchase the database of new prices and update your collection any time
you like. They are updated in January. By the way, you'll need to buy the updates
to get the list of new coins that are issued each year.
Three databases are available: U.S. coins, U.S. commemoratives and Canadian
coins. You can work with one, two or all three. Only one opens with the program.
You may purchase the others.
Here's a function I really like. Coin Keeper Deluxe helps you grade your coins.
Normally you would consult a book with drawings and descriptions of the various
ANA grades. Here, you just click on the coin image and see line drawings and
descriptions of the various grades right on your screen.
You can enter coins one at a time or in groups. It takes time, but isn't that
what a hobby is for?
Multiple users? Not a problem. Various family members can record and maintain
their own collections.
Reports and Manual
Coin Keeper Deluxe has five built-in reports: value report, coin inventory summary
report, coins sold report, want list and total collection report. You can also
specify criteria for a customized report.
The manual is a pdf file on the CD. It covers (almost) all the functions. I
say almost because I accidentally clicked on the date window and it asked me
whether I was "certain I wanted to delete my entire U.S. coin collection."
That was a surprise.
Suggestions for next version
The manual says that the program was designed with the assistance of real coin
collectors. No doubt. I'd just like to make a few suggestions for the folks
at HobbySoft from the point of view of one who is a casual hobbyist. First,
when I entered proof sets, the default grade was the lowest grade available.
I would think that it might default to one of the proof options. Second, I really
couldn't decipher all the variations of the proof sets. They were abbreviated,
e.g., 19XX SPRF. set PR and 19XX SPRF. set 'P.' To be really useful to me I'd
like a plain English description of the variations. Looks like I have to buy
a coin book to explain what the program could have done had the programmer allowed
more room in these fields. I think the purpose here was to keep me from buying
more books.
That's it. Coin Keeper has the database, coin pricing and reports feature. Coin
Keeper Deluxe adds the U.S. coin images that permit on-screen grading.
Stamp collectors should check the site below for Stamp Keeper and Stamp World.
Trial versions are available for free download. See for yourself.
Requires: for Windows or Mac users. Windows users need ver Windows 3.1 or higher.
16MB memory. 4MB free space on your hard drive. CD-ROM drive. You can load the
prices to your hard disk or let them remain on the CD.
Coin Keeper $ 69.95 [free demo version available]
Coin Keeper Deluxe $ 89.95 [free demo version available]
Additional databases $24.94 each
Market Value Update Disk $19.95 [discounts available for Automatic Subscription
Club members. Recommended.]