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1994-06-12
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┌──────────────────────┐
│COLLECTWARE GOLD v1.00│
└──────────────────────┘
Written by Patrick Bay
(C)opyright 1994 Blue Bay Software
THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNATED AS FREEWARE
(see Software License section below)
FOREWORD
--------
I would first of all like to make it clear that I am by no means an
authority on coin collecting or any type of collecting for that matter.
I have a few meagre coins in my collection, but nothing that I would
consider particularly exceptional. However, I do believe I have enough
experience to be able to help others who are just starting out, and perhaps
give some practical information to those further along.
What I state in this document should therefore be taken with a grain of
salt, and I strongly recommend that you contact persons with more expertise
before embarking on any drastic actions.
The following are three associations that, although I am in no way
affiliated with them, I would recommend you contact if you have any questions
or concerns in relation to coin collecting:
The Canadian Numismatic Association
P.O. Box 226
Barrie, Ontario
Canada
L4M-4T1
Canadian Association of Numismatic Dealers
c/o Lincoln Heights Coin & Stamp
2525 Carling Avenue, Suite D4
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K2B-7Z2
Ontario Numismatic Association
P.O. Box 33
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada
N2J-3Z6
Besides this, I have only one final note to leave you with. Please be
warned that although the coin prices stated in the software are as accurate
as I could make them, they may either be out of date or may have otherwise
fluctuated since the time they were put out. I will endeavour to update the
data files as often as I can, but you may wish to check with your local coin
dealer to obtain the most up-to-date prices.
──────────────────────
This document is split into two sections. Section I deals with coin
collecting, pricing and grading of coins, and the care and handling of coins.
Section II deals with the CollectWare Software and how to operate it.
──────────────────────
SECTION I
──────────────────────
Coin Collecting
---------------
There are really only two main reasons why people choose to collect
things. The first is that collectibles generally tend to go up in monetary
value over the years. In terms of coins, this aspect of collecting can be
quite rewarding. There exist coins that are valued in excess of $5000!
The other facet of collecting is esthetics. Many collectors keep coins
because they are different or pleasing to the eye. When these coins turn out
to have a great monetary value as well, collecting becomes a double bonus.
In fact, coin collecting can easily encompass both worlds, which is why
it has become an increasingly popular activity over the years among so many
people.
So what type of collecting should one do?
Well, that's a question that only you can answer. Some people collect
only a certain denomination of coin, others collect by decades while others
collect only rare or pricey coins. Essentially, it boils down to a matter of
preference and affordability. It's up to you.
Pricing Of Coins
----------------
When asked, most people would say that the age of a coin is relative to
its price. Some may answer that the rarity of a coin dictates its value.
Although both of these statements are generally true, this is not always so.
The single determining factor of a coin's price is its demand, which is
mirrored in the amount that a collector is willing to pay for it. Age and
rarity are both factors in this, but the final decision always rests with
the buyer. Hence, coin prices tend to fluctuate in a similar manner to the
Stock Market.
Grading Of Coins
----------------
A coin's grade is determined by the following three conditions:
1) The detail of the strike (image) present on the coin
2) Surface markings such as scratches
3) Surface colour and lustre
The better the detail, the fewer the marks and the truer the colour and
lustre that a coin has in relation wo when it was first struck determines
its grade.
The primary grading structure looks at one of two categories that a coin
fits in.
An uncirculated coin will typically be one that has never touched human
hands. This usually includes coins in sets such as collector's editions.
Uncirculated coins also include those coins that, although meant for general
circulation, have also not been touched by human hands. These have usually
been removed for their collection by collectors after having been bagged
with other coins and sent out. Due to this, these coins tend to have nicks
and scratches and are therefore of a lower grade than the aforementioned
uncirculated coins.
The other grading for coins is that of circulated coins. These differ in
quality from nearly uncirculated to heavily worn as a result of being
handled.
The price of a coin is directly proportionate to it's grade. Why buy a
poor quality coin when you can have a shiny, sharply detailed one?
The following grading structure is taken from the book "The Charlton
Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins" from the Charlton Press, and is
extensively used throughout the CollectWare Software:
UNCIRCULATED GRADING
────────────────────
Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70) - MS-70 is the finest quality available. Such
a coin under 4X magnification will show no
marks, lines or other evidence of handling or
contact with other coins. The strike will be
full and show all of the detail as intended
by the engraver. The coin's lustre will be of
the highest imagineable quality for a coin of
that particular series or type.
Gem Uncirculated (MS-67) - MS-67 coins will appear as perfect coins to
all but the most expert of graders. They are
exceptional in all respects; superb surfaces,
superb lustre and full strike or nearly so.
If there are any negatives they will not be
obvious at first glance but discovered only
after extensive study under 4X magnification.
Choice Uncirculated (MS-65) - An MS-65 coin is easily distinguished from
lower grades of uncirculated coins by its
distinctive 'quality' look. To the normal
naked eye, an MS-65 coin appear 'almost'
perfect at first glance. Only under more
detailed examination will minor flaws be
discovered. The coin's lustre will usually be
better than typically seen for uncirculated
coins of this type. The strike will be at
least typical for the series if not better.
The surfaces will show only slight marks that
will not at all be distracting to the overall
appeal of the coin.
Select Uncirculated (MS-63) - An MS-63 coin is basically a nice example of
an MS-60 which does not meet the strict
'quality' requirements of an MS-65. Many of
the MS-63 coin's features will be attractive
and at least typical of what you would expect
of a new coin of this particular type. The
surface marks generally are noticeable but
their number and size are such that they are
not major or bothersome distractions to the
viewer. The lustre is generally attractive
but may have a slight dullnes or dull areas.
The strike is most likely typical for the
series. Often MS-63 coins are MS-65 coins
that have slight 'problems' such as 'one mark
too many' and so on.
Typical Uncirculated (MS-60) - An MS-60 coin will have moderate number of
bag marks of varying sizes depending on the
softness of the coin's metal. The surfaces
may have what is typically described as a
'baggy' look. Also present may be minor edge
nicks but none of a major concern. Unusually
deep marks, however caused, must be described
separately. The lustre may be impaired by
dullness from cleaning and the like and
consequently may considered less than typical
for a new coin of this type. The strike may
show clear evidence of weaknesses in one or
more areas.
CIRCULATED GRADING
──────────────────
Choice About Uncirculated (AU-55) - Only a small trace of wear is visible
on the highest points of the coin.
About Uncirculated (AU-50) - With traces of wear on nearly all of the
highest areas. At least half of the original
mint lustre is present.
Choice Extremely Fine (EF-45)- With overall light wear on the coin's highest
points. All design details are very sharp.
Mint lustre is ussually seen only on
protected areas of the coin's surface.
Extremely Fine (EF-40) - With only slight wear but more extensive than
the preceeding (EF-45), still with excellent
overall sharpness. Traces of mint lustre may
still show.
Choice Very Fine (VF-30) - With light even wear on the surface; design
details on the highest points lightly worn,
but with all letterin and major features
sharp.
Very Fine (VF-20) - As preceeding (VF-30) but with moderate wear
on highest parts.
Fine (F-12) - Moderate to considerable even wear. Entire
design is bold. All lettering visible, but
with some weaknesses.
Very Good (VG-8) - Well worn. Most fine details such as hair
strands, leaf details, and so on are worn
nearly smooth.
Good (G-4) - Heavily worn. Major designs visible, but with
faintness in areas. Other major features
visible in outline form without centre
detail.
About Good (AG-3) - Very heavily worn with portions of the
lettering, date and legends being worn
smooth. The date is barely readable.
As will happen, these grades depend heavily on the person grading the
coin. More detailed grading guides are available for each coin which
specifically mention various parts of the coin's surface.
A note about the images in the software:
Most of the images presented are direct copies of the coins themselves.
Certain portions of the image have been slightly altered (usually pixels
removed) to allow for a clearer representation of the coin. Where anything
has been added to the image that may be slightly inaccurate (as is the
case with certain numbers in dates), a small note will be found under the
coin's image explaining the addition. As an example, if a '4' was added to
the date '1874', a note such as "'4' in date may be different." will be
present under the coin's face.
However, where possible images have been kept in the state in which they
were scanned. Sizes of coins will vary widely due to the publications used
and the scaling factor of the image scanner. Images are almost never on a
1:1 scale.
Care And Handling Of Coins
--------------------------
These are general guidelines which I feel are to be kept in mind when
having to handle any collectible coins:
1) Always handle coins with a soft surface underneath to cushion accidental
falls.
2) Always hold coins by the edges, never by either of the faces, and wear
soft clean gloves when possible.
3) Keep coins in a dry, acid free environment. Furthermore, try to restrict
air flow over the coin's surface as this causes oxidization (copper
turning brown and so on). The best way to do this is to keep coins in
individual air-tight packets.
My experience with store owners and collectors has been that they prefer
their coins in their natural states; that is, unpolished and unprocessed
(otherwise being altered to give them a 'better' appearance). You will find
that by preserving a coin in the state in which you received it will give it
a higher value later on.
──────────────────────
SECTION II
──────────────────────
System Requirements For CollectWare
-----------------------------------
640 kilobytes RAM
80286 processor or better
1 megabyte drive space minimum (depends on data files you will use)
VGA Monitor supporting 640x480 resolution in 16 colour graphics
A mouse with active mouse driver (this is optional)
Software License (The Legal Stuff)
----------------------------------
Although the author of this software, Patrick Bay, retains full copyright
license over the CollectWare Software (it remains my creation), you are
given permission to freely (see #1 below) copy and distribute the
aforementioned software and its related datafiles, unless otherwise stated
by the author.
The following condition applies to the distribution of CollectWare and
its related datafile and documentation files:
These must be distributed in their entirety and unaltered in any way, with
the single exception of data compression software which may be used on them.
#1 - By 'freely', it is meant that the aforementioned software and related
files may be distributed as per the discretion of the current holder of
the software and without prior permission by the author, Patrick Bay.
CollectWare and its related data files and documentation files are
distributed as FREEWARE, unless otherwise stated. By FREEWARE, it is meant
that the aforementioned files may be distributed, copied, and used as per
the discretion of the current holder of these files without any required
payment to, or permission from the author, Patrick Bay. Please see above
for the requirements necessary to "correctly" copy and distribute these
files.
Vendors and software distributors are granted permission to charge any
amount of money for the use of, sale of, copying or or re-distribution of
the CollectWare Software and its related data files and documentation files,
as long as the conditions for copying and distribution of these files
(please see above) are met.
IN A NUTSHELL : Anyone can use this software without paying me anything or
without my prior consent. The software may also be rented,
sold or otherwise re-distributed by anyone. The only
conditions that apply are that the software, its data files
and documentation files are distributed unaltered and in
their entirety if they are to be re-distributed, copied,
sold, rented, and/or leased.
Why?
NeVeR qUesTIon thE moTivES of A MaD mAn!!
DISCLAIMER
----------
The author of this software, data files and documentation files (Patrick
Bay) makes no warranty either expressed or implied as to the performance of
the software and the aforementioned related files. The user assumes all
responsibility for any and all damages that may be incurred as a result of
either correct or incorrect use of the said files and software.
IN A NUTSHELL : If it breaks, it's not my fault. You were justly warned!
Why?
mAD aNd GReeDY MEn arE EVerYWherE!!
Source Code Availability
------------------------
The software portion of the CollectWare package was created with Borland
International's Turbo Pascal Compiler v6.0 ((C)opyright 1983,90 by Borland
International Incorporated).
The source code of this software will NOT be made available to the
public. This is an easy way for fraudulent and possibly dangerous copies
of the software to circulate freely. However, I will gladly recompile
personalized versions of the software for anyone who requests it.
Contacting The Author
---------------------
If you've come upon bugs, have comments, suggestions or questions, or
feel that you'd like to make some sort of monetary donation towards the
further development of the software (gotta make a plug...no matter how
small!), feel free to contact me in any of the following ways:
Write to: Patrick Bay
126 Haileybury Drive
Scarborough, Ontario
Canada
M1K-4X5
Telephone : (416) 261-7217 (I can't accept LD charges)
BBS : (416) 261-6238
STARTING THE SOFTWARE
─────────────────────
To run the program, simply type in the program name on the DOS command
line followed by the name of the datafile you want to use. For example,
to use the datafile 1876-99.PNY (pennies dated between 1876 and 1899),
you would type:
CWARE 1876-99.PNY
And you're away! If you have a mouse installed and some sort of mouse
driver running, the mouse will automatically be initialized for use. You
may use both it and your keyboard in the software, so don't fret if you're
mouseless!
Once the program is running, you will see the Blue Bay Software logo.
Either click a mouse button or hit a key on your keyboard to begin, otherwise
the program will wait approximately 16 seconds and begin by itself.
MENUS
-----
Help is available right from the beginning of the program on the main
screen. However, if you want to read about it before trying it, the following
text will describe how to use menus, and what each menu item does.
If you have a mouse installed, you will find a small arrow on the screen.
This is called your pointer. Your pointer will follow the movement of your
mouse. You will notice a button bar on the left-hand side of the screen in
red, and in it various buttons. You may select any of these buttons by moving
your pointer over them and clicking your left mouse button. Voila!
If you have no mouse installed, or simply prefer to use your keyboard
(both work at the same time), you will use the hot-key system. When you look
at the buttons, you will notice that one letter out of the other letters on
the button face is yellow, while the others are white. The yellow button is
called a 'hot-key'. You can activate a button simply by typing its hot-key at
the keyboard. For example, in the word 'HELP', you will find that 'H' is in
yellow and 'ELP' is in white. This means that 'H' is they key you must press
to activate 'HELP'. Don't worry about upper-case or lower-case letters. The
program can't tell the diferrence. An 'H' is an 'h' is an 'H'...
Now that you can use the menus, let's find out what they do!
The Main Menu
-------------
This is the first menu you will see after the logo screen and from
here all of the program's major functions may be accesed.
HELP - If you need help, here it is! The help menu is subdivided
into GENERAL (how to use menus), BROWSING, and SEARCHING as
well as programming CREDITS.
BROWSE - Allows you to browse through the database file you have
selected. See below for options available under this selection.
SEARCH - Allows you to search the database in a variety of ways to help
you to find the coins you're searching for. See below BROWSE
below for explanations on functions available under this
selection.
QUIT - This will cause the program to terminate back to the operating
system (DOS, OS/2, Windows, etc.).
(Technical note: a normal termination will result in an ERRORLEVEL of 0
whereby an abnormal termination will result in ERRORLEVEL of 1. An
abnormal termination runs the gammut from corrupt EXE file to
missing command line parameter. Useful for BAT files or other control
software.)
The Browse Menu
---------------
HELP - Take a wild guess as to what this does!
NEXT - This command displays the next coin in the database file. Each
coin number may be found in the lower left-hand corner of the
screen. If you are currently at the last coin in the database,
this command will loop you back to the first coin.
PREVIOUS - While the NEXT comand takes you forward, the PREVIOUS command
will take you one coin backwards through the database. If you
are at the first coin and you issue this command, you will be
looped to the last coin in the database.
VALUE - This command will display a table of values depending on the
grade of the (see above) currently displaying coin.
Following this, only one menu option is available, EXIT, which
will take you back to the browse menu and the coin display.
NOTES - This selection will display various brief historical notes
on the currently selected coin. Just as with the VALUE
command the only available menu option, EXIT, will bring you
back to the BROWSE menu.
ELEMENT - Selecting this button will display a brief description of the
elementary or chemical make-up of the currently displaying
coin. As with the previous two commands, EXIT will take you
back to the BROWSE menu.
SKIP TO - This command will allow you to skip to any coin number in the
database. If the number youf enter is less than 1 or greater
than the last coin number in the database, you will hear 3
brief beeps and you will be taken back to the BROWSE menu,
otherwise the coin number you input will be displayed and you
will be brought back to the BROWSE menu.
EXIT - This command will simply quit the browse menu and bring you
back to the main menu (except when performing a SEARCH below).
The Search Menu
---------------
HELP - By this time you should know!
EXACT - This function is a toggle, meaning that it is turned ON or OFF
like a light switch. When this function is ON, the data you enter
for DATE and NOTES below will be matched letter for letter with
the database. If your data is too short or too long when compared
to the database, it will not match. For example:
'This line'
and
'This line'
match EXACTly.
'This line '
and
'This line'
do not match exactly.
'This lin'
and
'This line'
do not match exactly.
However, with this option turned OFF, your data need only be
contained within the database to match. For example:
'This line'
and
'This line'
will match since the first is contained in the second.
'This l'
and
'This line'
will match since the first is contained in the second.
'This line.'
and
'This line'
will not match since the first is no longer contained
within the second. It exceeds the second.
'Th'
and
'This line'
will match. Are you getting it now?
This setting works together with the CASE setting below.
CASE - This is also a toggle that turns ON and OFF letter case matching.
If turned off, upper-case and lower-case letters are considered
to be the same thing. For example, and 'H' will match 'h' as well
as 'H'.
With this setting turned ON, the case of letters must match. For
example, 'H' will match with 'H' but no with 'h'.
Here are some examples of CASE and EXACT settings and their
result:
CASE OFF, EXACT OFF
'hello' matched 'hello' = match
'HELLO' matched 'hello' = match
'hElLo' matched 'HELLO' = match
'HEL' matched 'HELLO' = match
'HE' matched 'HELlo' = match
'HELLO.' matched 'HELLO' = not match
'HelLo' matched 'Hel' = not match
CASE ON, EXACT OFF
'hello' matched 'hello' = match
'HELLO' matched 'hello' = not match
'helLo' matched 'HELLO' = not match
'HEL' matched 'HELLO' = match
'HE' matched 'HELlo' = match
'HELLO.' matched 'HELLO' = not match
'HelLo' matched 'Hel' = not match
CASE OFF, EXACT ON
'hello' matched 'hello' = match
'HELLO' matched 'hello' = match
'helLo' matched 'HELLO' = match
'HEL' matched 'HELLO' = not match
'HE' matched 'HELlo' = not match
'HELLO.' matched 'HELLO' = not match
'HelLo' matched 'Hel' = not match
CASE ON, EXACT ON
'hello' matched 'hello' = match
'HELLO' matched 'hello' = not match
'helLo' matched 'HELLO' = not match
'HEL' matched 'HELLO' = not match
'HE' matched 'HELlo' = not match
'HELLO.' matched 'HELLO' = not match
'HelLo' matched 'Hel' = not match
As you can see, your best hopes of hitting a match in the
database is to enter less rather than more, and to turn off both
CASE and EXACT. However, if you're certain of the data you enter,
turning both to ON can severely cut back on mismatches.
DATE - After selecting this option, you will be promted to enter data
for the date match. This data will be compared to the dates of
coins in the database for matches. This works in conjunction with
both the EXACT and CASE settings. Whenever a match for DATE or
NOTES is encountered, the program will pause (see below for
BEGIN). Blank data is considered not matching with anything.
NOTES - Selecting this button will allow you to enter data for which the
program will look for a match in the historical notes of coins in
the database. This option works in conjunction with both the
EXACT and CASE settings. When a match is encountered for either
DATE or NOTES, the program will pause (see BEGIN below). Blank
data is considered not matching with anything.
Examples for EXACT, CASE, DATE and NOTES:
1) You are looking for historical notes cointaining the word 'queen',
regardless of case.
Set EXACT to OFF.
Set CASE to OFF.
Leave DATE blank.
Enter 'queen' into NOTES.
2) You are searching for the '1876 H' penny, in upper case and that exact
length of date.
Set EXACT to ON.
Set CASE to ON.
Enter '1876 H' for DATE.
Leave NOTES blank.
3) You are looking for coins in the 1900s, with one of the historical
notes beginning with 'One million'.
Set EXACT to OFF.
Set CASE to ON.
Enter '19' for date (allowing matches for anything beginning with 19)
Enter 'One million' for NOTES
4) You are looking for coins from the Heaton Mint.
Set EXACT to OFF
Set CASE to OFF (unlikely to encounter 'Heaton' other than name)
Leave date blank
Enter 'Heaton' for NOTES
Once you've tried a few searches, you will see that it's
actually simpler than it has perhaps been made out to be.
BEGIN - This command will start the actual search through the coin
database for the data you entered above.
If a match is found:
You will be asked to either DISPLAY the coin, CONTINUE, or
EXIT the search.
If you choose to DISPLAY, you will be brought to the BROWSE
menu with the matching coin (see above for commands). Once you
choose EXIT from there, you will be asked if you want to
continue searching. If YES, see CONTINUE below, otherwise you
will exit to the Main Menu.
CONTINUE will skip past the current matching coin and
continue to search the coin database until another match is
found, or the end of the database is reached.
EXIT will bring you back to the Main Menu.
The search can be finished in one of two ways. If the end of the
database is reached and no more coins can be found matching the
data you entered, you will be notified and given only one option,
EXIT, which will bring you back to the SEARCH menu.
The other way to end a search is to hit any keyboard key, or
clicking any mouse button. You will be notified that the search
was terminated, and given one option, EXIT, which will bring you
back to the Main Menu.
EXIT - This command will bring you back to the Main Menu.
Does all of this seem complex? Perhaps in text, but once you try it, you
will agree that it is in fact very simple to use. Don't worry if you can't
remember what all the buttons do. Pressing H from any menu will bring up
Help screens on that menu explaining what has been discussed here in lesser
detail.
NOTE: This version has been compiled for the 80286 processor for better
performance. As stated near the beginning of Section II, I am willing
to recompile the software for 8086 users, but unless specifically
requested, I will not be releasing such a version.
(C)opyright 1994 Blue Bay Software originated and owned by Patrick Bay
