Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.
Key points
- To manage a coin collection, you need to identify each piece: country, date, mint, catalogue reference.
- The condition (TB, TTB, SUP, FDC or the Sheldon scale) is the first factor of value after rarity.
- Obverse and reverse photos, certificates and dated valuations make up the file for each coin.
Managing your coin collection: what to keep track of
Numismatics has its own vocabulary, and numismatics software, like a simple notebook, must respect it. A coin is identified by its country, the authority that issued it, its denomination, its date and its mint; it is described by its metal, weight and diameter; it is valued first by its rarity and condition. Banknotes follow the same logic, with their own references.
As with stamps, volume forces choices. Common coins can be grouped by lot or by coin cabinet; gold coins, early coins, varieties and graded pieces each deserve a detailed record.
What a coin record contains
| Field | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Country, issuing authority, denomination | Identify the coin or banknote. |
| Date and mint | Two coins of the same type can differ greatly in rarity depending on the year and the mint. |
| Metal (gold, silver, bronze, billon… paper or polymer for banknotes) | A basic element of the valuation. |
| Diameter, thickness, weight | Complete the identification; spot a copy. |
| Type, description, error or variety | Flag what distinguishes a specimen. |
| Krause reference (KM) | A catalogue reference shared by numismatists. |
| Grade: B, TB, TTB, SUP, SPL, FDC, BE | The condition according to French usage. |
| Sheldon grade (1 to 70), slab grading (PCGS, NGC…) | Record the condition on the international scale; link the coin to its grading certificate. |
| Catalogue value, obverse and reverse photos, documents | Track the value and prove the real condition of the coin. |
TB, TTB, SUP, FDC and the Sheldon scale: recording condition correctly
Condition is the most subjective item on the record. Two numismatists can hesitate between TTB and SUP for the same coin. So note who assigned the grade and when: you, an expert, or a grading company that sealed the coin in a slab with a grade on the Sheldon scale. Keep the grading certificate number with the record.
Ancient coin valuation, worth and insurance
For an ancient coin valuation, prepare as complete an identification as possible and sharp photos of the obverse and reverse, lying flat, without glare. Never clean a coin: a cleaned coin loses much of its appeal for collectors. Then keep the history of valuations, with their date and author.
A coin collection fits in a drawer and is easily carried off. After a theft, you will have to prove what it contained: photos, a detailed list, invoices, certificates. Check that your home insurance policy covers these valuables, and up to what amount. Also keep all proofs of purchase: on resale, the tax treatment depends on the nature of the item, and these supporting documents may be requested (see our guide flat-rate tax or capital gains tax, and seek advice for gold coins).
Succession
An inherited coin cabinet without a list is hard to value for heirs who are not numismatists. An inventory that flags the important pieces, shows where the cabinets and safes are, and gives the name of a trusted expert spares them from selling by weight what had collector value. For the value to use in the estate, consult your notary (notaire).
Photos from your phone and sharing
Photograph each important coin obverse and reverse, on a neutral background, with raking light to bring out the relief. To have a selection valued or to offer it to a buyer, share it through a password-protected, time-limited link. If you also collect stamps, see managing your stamp collection.
With Collectalia
Collectalia manages coins, banknotes, medals and tokens: one record per piece with country, issuing authority, date, mint, metal, Krause reference, grade, Sheldon grade, slab grading and catalogue value, obverse and reverse photos taken from your phone by scanning a QR code, certificates and successive valuations. Import of an existing Excel file, advanced search, PDF reports, insurance policies with a reminder before renewal and a Succession module. Free trial.
Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.