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Collector's Little Helper™ logo
COLLECTOR'S LITTLE HELPER™
Catalogue Entry Form
Your collection
New Entry
Check & Copy
Update a Coin
How to Use
Glossary & Resources
First time cataloguing a coin? Stick to the fields marked * — that's genuinely all you need to get it logged properly. I built the rest of this form for myself, so don't feel like you're missing something by skipping it. You can always come back later once you've got the bug. Been doing this a while? Go for it — everything's unlocked, grading ladder and all.
Item Details Gold-highlighted fields are required
Physical Details
Acquisition & Value
Check & Copy paste the AI's reply — get a row that pastes cleanly into Holdings

Paste the AI assistant's whole reply below (code block, summary and all — the checker finds the data rows itself). It checks every field against the catalogue's dropdown lists and number formats, fixes what it safely can, and tells you about anything it can't.

Update a Coin change a coin that's already in your catalogue

1. Copy the coin's row from Holdings. In the Holdings tab, click the row number at the left of the coin's row to select the whole row. Copy it (Ctrl+C, or ⌘C on a Mac) and paste it below.

How to Use This Form

Five steps to add a coin — the same five steps you'll see in the Quick Start Guide and the catalogue's START HERE tab. Click any step for the detail. If something goes wrong, open Stuck? at the bottom.

Expand all steps ▼
1

Describe your coin

Entry Form → New Entry tab

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Where: Entry Form → New Entry tab

Fill in what you know — the gold fields are the must-haves. Adding several coins? Click + Add Another Coin for each one. Then click Generate Entry and Copy to Clipboard.

Not sure of a field? Leave it blank — the AI can often identify a coin from its year, country, denomination and a short description.
2

Ask any AI assistant

A new chat in Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot

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Where: A new chat in Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot

Paste what you copied — the full instructions are already included. The AI replies with a grey code box (one block of labelled lines per coin) and a short summary of what it filled in and what it left blank.

Read the summary. The AI never adds estimated values, and anything it fills from its own knowledge is labelled AI-filled (unverified) in Notes. You are always the final authority on your own collection.
3

Check the reply

Entry Form → Check & Copy tab

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Where: Entry Form → Check & Copy tab

Paste the AI's whole reply and click Check. Yellow cells were tidied automatically; red cells need you. Then click Copy rows for Holdings.

Why this step? Chat windows don't always copy cleanly — some turn tabs into spaces or add formatting. The checker rebuilds each row exactly the way your spreadsheet expects, whichever AI you used.
4

Paste into your catalogue

CLH_Catalogue.xlsx → Holdings tab

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Where: CLH_Catalogue.xlsx → Holdings tab

Click column B (Item Type) in the first empty row and paste (Ctrl+V on Windows, Cmd+V on Mac). The grey columns fill themselves.

Works in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets and LibreOffice Calc. Apple Numbers can paste, but doesn't keep the dropdowns or sheet protection.
5

Save and back up

Your spreadsheet app

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Where: Your spreadsheet app

Save (Ctrl+S / Cmd+S) and keep a copy somewhere other than this computer.

?

Stuck?

Common hiccups and exactly where to go

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If this happens…Do this
I don't know some of the detailsLeave them blank. The AI fills only what it's sure of. For research, see the Resources page.
The AI's reply has no grey code box, or the checker finds no entriesAsk the AI: “Please resend each entry inside a code block, with every field on its own line as Field name: value.”
Check & Copy shows red cellsFix the value in the box and click Check again — or copy anyway and correct that cell in the spreadsheet. Any field the AI left out is left blank — you'll see a note.
Excel says the cell is protectedYou clicked a grey column. Click column B of an empty row and paste again.
Item ID or another grey column is blankItem ID needs Country, Year and Title. Currency and Full Denomination need Denomination. The value columns need Acq. Price or Est. Value.
I need to change a coin I've already addedEntry Form → Update a Coin tab. Paste in the coin's row from Holdings, change it yourself or with the AI, then paste the updated row back over the same row at column B.
Where are my totals?CLH_Catalogue.xlsx → INDEX tab.
What does a term mean?Entry Form → Glossary & Resources tab, or the Quick Reference in the Quick Start Guide.
A note on values Every coin has up to three layers of value: its face value (what it says on the coin), its ingredient value (the metal content — a pre-1966 Australian 50c contains silver worth more than 50c regardless of condition), and its numismatic / market value (what collectors will actually pay, driven by rarity and demand). Estimated values in your catalogue reflect market value where researched — for personal reference only, not a formal appraisal. For insurance or estate settlement, always seek an independent valuation from a qualified numismatist.
Glossary of Terms
COIN TYPES & FORMATS
CirculatingA coin made for everyday use — spent as currency, not produced for collectors.
ProofThe highest manufacturing standard — struck using a special high-pressure process on polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design detail. In this system, Proof appears as the top option in the Grade field (which combines finish and condition).
UNC / UncirculatedA coin that has never been spent and shows no wear. The Grade field uses the full trade grading scale: FDC/BU (finest) → Gem UNC → Choice UNC → UNC → aUNC, then down through EF, VF, F, VG, G. Always write "Uncirculated" in full in titles — never UNC or Unc.
BU / FDCBrilliant Uncirculated / Fleur de Coin — the finest uncirculated standard, used by UK and European mints. Appears in the Grade dropdown as FDC/BU.
PNCPhilatelic Numismatic Cover — a coin presented with a commemorative stamp on an illustrated envelope or folder. Issued by Australia Post / RAM jointly.
PMCPhilatelic Medallion Cover — similar to a PNC but contains a medallion rather than a legal-tender coin. The medallion is not currency.
NIFC / NCLTNot Intended For Circulation / Non-Circulating Legal Tender — two terms for the same thing: a coin that is legal currency but was never meant to be spent. Produced solely for collectors. You may see either abbreviation depending on the issuer.
SetA group of coins issued and packaged together — e.g. a Proof Year Set containing one of each denomination for a given year.
CANADIAN TERMS
RCMRoyal Canadian Mint — Canada's mint, producing circulating coins in Winnipeg and collector and bullion coins in Ottawa.
LoonieThe Canadian $1 coin, named after the common loon on its reverse. Introduced in 1987. Write it as CAD$1 in titles.
ToonieThe Canadian $2 coin, a bi-metallic coin introduced in 1996. Write it as CAD$2 in titles.
SpecimenA Canadian collector finish between uncirculated and proof, usually with satin and mirror areas. RCM Specimen sets are common. Choose Specimen in the Grade field.
Maple LeafThe RCM's bullion coins in gold and silver, mostly .9999 fine. Choose Gold (.9999) or Silver (.9999) in the Metal field.
Multi-ply plated steelThe RCM's plated-steel coin metal: a steel core plated with layers of nickel, copper or brass. Used for most modern Canadian circulating coins.
CharltonThe Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins — Canada's standard price guide, published every year (Canada's equivalent of Renniks).
METALS & COMPOSITION
AlBrAluminium Bronze — the gold-coloured alloy used in Australian $1 and $2 coins since 1984.
Cupro-nickelAn alloy of copper and nickel — used in Australian 5c, 10c, 20c, and 50c coins. Silver-coloured but contains no silver.
SilverUsed in premium collector coins in several purities — always check the specification:
.999 (Fine Silver) — 99.9% pure; most RAM/Perth Mint proof coins
.925 (Sterling) — 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper; common in UK and some Commonwealth issues
.900 — 90% silver; used in some older US and world coins
(St.) — Sterling, same as .925, used as an abbreviation in some catalogues
Cupro-nickel coins are silver-coloured but contain no silver — check the metal field carefully.
BronzeThe copper-based alloy used in pre-decimal Australian pennies and halfpennies, and 1c/2c decimal coins.
TREATMENTS & SPECIAL FINISHES
ColouredA coin with colour applied to part of the design — usually by pad printing or enamel. Common on commemorative $2 coins (e.g. Red Poppy).
FrostedA coin where the raised design elements have a matte "sandblasted" look against a mirrored background. Standard on most Proof coins.
GildedSelectively gold-plated — part of the coin's design has a thin layer of gold applied over the base metal or silver.
MintmarkA letter or symbol on a coin identifying where it was struck. Common Australian and Commonwealth mintmarks:
C — Canberra (Royal Australian Mint) — used on RAM collector releases
M — Melbourne (former Melbourne Mint, now closed; also used on some modern issues)
S — Sydney (former Sydney Mint, now closed; pre-decimal era)
B — Bombay (India) — used on some WWII-era Australian pennies struck in India
P — Perth (Perth Mint) — used on Perth Mint collector releases and some circulating coins
Circulating coins generally carry no mintmark; collector releases often do to distinguish them. Many Canadian coins since 2006 carry the Royal Canadian Mint's logo as their mint mark.
Privy markA small additional symbol added to a coin to denote a special or limited edition, coin fair exclusive, or commemorative variant — distinct from the standard mintmark. Examples: a small anchor for a naval theme, a tiny crown for a royal event, or an envelope symbol for a coin fair release.
DomedA coin with a curved (convex/concave) shape rather than flat — used on premium collector issues for visual effect.
CATALOGUE FIELD TERMS
MintageThe total number of coins struck (produced). Lower mintage generally means rarer and more valuable. Note: declared mintage caps may not equal actual coins produced.
CoACertificate of Authenticity — a numbered certificate included with collector coins confirming their authenticity and edition number.
EffigyThe portrait of the monarch on the obverse (heads side) of a Commonwealth coin. Australian coins have used six portrait generations since 1953.
ObverseThe "heads" side of a coin — typically carries the monarch's portrait on Commonwealth coins.
ReverseThe "tails" side — carries the main design, denomination, and country name.
FPSFrom Proof Set — indicates the coin was originally issued as part of a proof year set rather than as a standalone release.
RAMRoyal Australian Mint — Australia's official coin producer, based in Canberra. Produces all circulating Australian coinage and many collector releases.
DenominationThe face value of the coin — e.g. $2, 50c. In this catalogue, enter as a number: 2 for $2, 0.5 for 50c, 0.2 for 20c.
Types of ValueEvery coin has up to three layers of value:
Face value — the denomination printed on the coin; the minimum it is worth as currency.
Ingredient value — the value of the metal content. A pre-1966 Australian 50c contains silver worth significantly more than 50c at today's silver prices, regardless of its numismatic condition.
Numismatic / market value — what a collector will actually pay, determined by rarity (mintage), condition, and demand. This is the most complex and variable of the three.
GradeA standardised assessment of a coin's condition. Common grades: Proof, UNC (Uncirculated), aUNC (about Uncirculated), EF (Extremely Fine), VF (Very Fine), F (Fine).
ReedingThe milled edge on a coin — the ridges around the rim. "Interrupted reeding" means the ridges are broken by smooth sections, used as a security feature on some Australian $1 coins.
STORAGE, GRADING & CONDITION
Slab / SlabbedA coin that has been professionally graded and sealed in a tamper-evident hard plastic case by a grading service (e.g. PCGS, NGC, ICCS). The grade and a certification number are printed on the label. Slabbing protects the coin and provides third-party authentication. In the catalogue, choose Packaging: Graded Slab, then fill in Grading Service, Certified Grade and Grading Cert No. from the label.
Raw / LooseA coin that has not been professionally graded or slabbed — stored loose or in a basic holder. Most collector coins are raw. Also called "raw" when removed from original packaging.
CapsuleA round or rectangular clear plastic holder that snaps shut around a coin, protecting it from handling and environmental damage without touching the coin surface. The preferred storage for most collector coins.
2×2A 2-inch × 2-inch cardboard and mylar coin holder — two pieces stapled together around a coin. Inexpensive and widely used for circulating and lower-value coins. Not recommended for silver coins (the cardboard can cause toning).
Grade / GradingA standardised assessment of a coin's condition. Common grades from highest to lowest:
Proof — specialist manufacture; not a circulated grade
MS/UNC — Mint State / Uncirculated; no wear
aUNC — About Uncirculated; slight wear on high points only
EF / XF — Extremely Fine; light wear, all detail sharp
VF — Very Fine; moderate wear, major detail clear
F — Fine; even wear, design clear but flat
VG / G / AG — Very Good / Good / About Good; heavy wear
Coin Roll ScamA known fraud where a valuable-looking coin is placed on top of a roll of ordinary or worthless coins. The roll must be destroyed to verify the contents. Buy coin rolls only from the Royal Australian Mint directly, or from a trusted dealer. Never buy an "uncirculated roll" you cannot inspect.
ToningNatural discolouration of a coin's surface over time, caused by chemical reactions with the environment. On silver coins, light toning is often considered desirable ("patina"); heavy or uneven toning reduces value. Never try to remove toning — cleaning is worse.
PCGS / NGCProfessional Coin Grading Service / Numismatic Guaranty Corporation — the two most widely recognised third-party coin grading companies. A slab confirms authenticity and grade, but it only adds value when the grade is high for that issue: many modern slabbed coins sell for little more than raw ones.
ICCSInternational Coin Certification Service — Canada's best-known third-party grading service, widely used for Canadian coins alongside PCGS and NGC.
Certified grade (1–70)The grade on a slab label, on the 1–70 (Sheldon) scale. MS = Mint State (uncirculated), PR or PF = Proof, SP = Specimen, AU = About Uncirculated. 70 is perfect. Extra letters describe the finish, e.g. DCAM (deep cameo). "Details" means the coin has a problem, such as cleaning or damage.
Cert numberThe unique certification number on a slab label. You can look it up on the grading service's website to confirm the slab is genuine.
Album / FolderA purpose-made binder or folder designed to hold and display coins in individual pockets. Lighthouse and Dansco are popular brands. Use archival-quality (PVC-free) pages to avoid chemical damage to coins.
PRE-DECIMAL TERMS (Australian coins before 1966)
Penny / HalfpennyPre-decimal copper coins. 12 pennies = 1 shilling. The penny featured the kangaroo reverse.
ThreepencePre-decimal silver coin worth 3 pence — small, twelve-sided (dodecagonal) in later years.
SixpencePre-decimal silver coin worth 6 pence — featured the Australian Coat of Arms.
ShillingPre-decimal silver coin worth 12 pence — featured the Australian Merino ram.
FlorinPre-decimal silver coin worth 2 shillings (24 pence) — featured the Australian Coat of Arms.
CrownPre-decimal silver coin worth 5 shillings — large and relatively rare in Australian issues.
Trusted Research Sources

Ranked by reliability — primary official sources first, then community-verified databases, then real-world market data. Always prefer a higher-ranked source when sources conflict.

TIER 1 — OFFICIAL MINT SOURCES (most authoritative)
  • 1
    ramint.gov.au — Royal Australian Mint
    Official product descriptions, mintage data, and annual reports. The primary source for Australian decimal commemorative coins. RAM Annual Report appendices carry the definitive production figures.
  • 2
    perthmint.com — Perth Mint
    Official product descriptions and mintage data for Perth Mint issues — a large and distinct catalogue from RAM, covering gold, silver, and platinum collector coins.
  • 3
    royalmint.com — The Royal Mint (UK)
    Official source for British and Commonwealth collector coins. Useful for UK £5 commemoratives, Remembrance Day issues, and any coin bearing the British royal arms.
TIER 2 — COMMUNITY-VERIFIED DATABASES
  • 4
    numista.com — Numista
    The most comprehensive community-built coin database in the world. Excellent for mintage cross-referencing, design details, and world coins. Generally reliable but community-sourced — cross-check key figures against official mint sources.
  • 5
    renniks.com.au — Renniks Australian Coin & Banknote Values
    The standard printed catalogue for Australian coins — updated annually. Useful for pre-decimal and early decimal valuations. Values are catalogue estimates, not sold prices — treat as a guide rather than market reality.
TIER 3 — REAL-WORLD MARKET PRICES (actual sold values)
  • 6
    ebay.com.au — eBay Australia (Sold listings only)
    The most useful source for current real-world market values on Australian commemoratives. Search for your coin, then filter to Sold Items — this shows what buyers actually paid, not what sellers are asking. Asking prices alone are unreliable.
    ⚠ Always filter to Sold listings — asking prices can be wildly inflated.
  • 7
    coinarchives.com — CoinArchives
    Aggregates confirmed hammer prices from major international auction houses. Best for pre-decimal Australian coins, world coins, and rare items that trade at auction rather than on eBay. Less useful for modern RAM/Perth Mint commemoratives.
TIER 4 — SPECIALIST DEALERS (asking prices — use for reference only)
  • 8
    sterlingcurrency.com.au — Sterling & Currency
    Fremantle-based specialist in Australian rare coins and banknotes, especially pre-decimal. Useful for gauging asking prices on older and scarcer coins. Prices are retail asking, not sold comps.
  • 9
    ensleighcoins.com.au — Ensleigh Coins
    Australian dealer with a good range of Australian decimal and pre-decimal material. Useful for checking availability and general price range on common to mid-tier collector coins.
  • 10
    mycollectables.com.au — My Collectables
    Australian marketplace for collector coins and memorabilia. Useful for getting a sense of retail asking prices, particularly for RAM and Australia Post products.
TIER 5 — COMMUNITY EDUCATION & GENERAL REFERENCE
  • 11
    australiacoins.org — AustraliaCoins.org (Damian Walker)
    Beginner-friendly educational resource covering how to identify, condition-assess, and value Australian coins. Useful starting point for new collectors, particularly the three-types-of-value framework (face / ingredient / numismatic) and the error coins reference. Not a primary source for mintage data or market prices — use Tier 1–3 for those.
A note on valuations For insurance or estate settlement purposes, rely on Tier 1–3 sources and get an independent appraisal from a qualified numismatist rather than relying solely on catalogue or asking-price data. Dealer asking prices (Tier 4) can be significantly higher than actual market value. Be cautious of "free valuations" from dealers — their interest in buying your coin creates an inherent conflict.
Collector's Little Helper™  ·  Version 1.6  ·  October 2026  ·  Check for updates
Collector's Little Helper™ — Version 1.6 — October 2026
© 2026 Kevin Burdette (Sparker Kev's Coins). All rights reserved.
Collector's Little Helper™ is a trademark of Kevin Burdette (Sparker Kev's Coins), Brisbane, Australia.
sparkerkevscoins@gmail.com  ·  +61 (0)438 820 469
Personal, non-commercial use with attribution. Not for resale or redistribution without written permission.