















                                   COIN FILE 

              A coin inventory system for MS-DOS computer systems

                               by John R. Duchek
                            Duchek Computer Services
                                 P.O. Box 25006
                              St. Louis, MO 63125
                                 (314)-544-1843

                                 Copyright 1985 



















USER SUPPORTED PROGRAMS

     COINFILE is a piece of user supported software.  What is meant by 
that is COINFILE is available to anyone who wants  to  use  it  at  no 
cost. This method of distributine the software allows the user to "try 
it  out"  before  paying  for  it.  It  also encourages users to share 
software with other users without fear of prosecution. It assumes that 
the user is honest enough to pay for what he finds useful,  and  throw 
away what he does not.  

     If you find COINFILE to be useful to you, you are asked to send a 
contribution ($25 or $5 in 90% silver coins) to its author: 

                                 John R. Duchek
                            Duchek Computer Services
                                 P.O. Box 25006
                              St. Louis, MO 63125 

     By  sending  a  contribution  you  become  a  registered owner of 
COINFILES.  This enables us to send you information on updates of  the 
software  as  well as information on other programs.  In addition your 
contribution entitles you to the  most  current  version  of  COINFILE 
including all of the "want files". These want files (35 in all) can be 
made  by  using  the  COINFILE  program although it is admittedly more 
convenient to already have them on  line.  3  common  want  files  are 
included to allow you to get started inventorying your coin collection 
while waiting for the new disk to come.  
 
     You  are  free  to make copies of COINFILE and to share them with 
others.  You are not permitted to sell COINFILE nor can you include it 
with any product you are distributing. You may not modify the programs 
in any way.

     Registered users are supported by the following:
     
1. Any bugs found in the software will be corrected and a free copy of 
the corrected program will be sent to the first finder of that bug.  

2.  I  will  correspond  with  users  of  the program to help with any 
difficulties they have running  the  program.  Calls  to  discuss  any 
problems are at the users expense.  




                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                  VERSION 2.03

System Features......................................2
     
Data File Structure..................................6

Want File Structure..................................8

Getting Started......................................9
     
      Disk Installation........................9
      Printer Installation....................13
      Putting The Inventory in................14

Main Menu Description...............................15

Data File Menu Description..........................16

DataTrak File Menu Description......................18

Print Menu Description..............................19

Want File Menu Description..........................21

Preparing an Inventory Sheet........................22

Running the COINSTAL.EXE program....................23

Using the PRNTLABL.EXE (print label) program........25

If You're Having Trouble............................26

Warranty............................................27




















                                 1

                                SYSTEM FEATURES

     COINFILE  is  a  system  of  programs  and datafiles designed and 
written for my own use to  keep  an  accurate  inventory  of  my  coin 
collections.  It  has  several  unique  features  not  found  in other 
inventory systems. COINFILE is written in MS-DOS BASIC and is compiled 
in order to provide the fast response you hope for in a program.  
 
     The COIN.EXE program deals with a data file and a want  file  for 
each  of the collections on disk.  For Buffalo nickels there is a file 
with your data (NICKBUF.DAT) and a file with an image of what coins  a 
full  Buffalo nickel collection should contain (NICKBUF.WNT).  The WNT 
file is used in several ways by the program.  It allows the program to 
print  a want list for your collection by comparing what you have with 
what you need.  It also allows an inventory help sheet to  be  printed 
which can help you inventory your collections.  

     The  printout  utilities  allow you to print out all coins of all 
collections with descriptions and updated prices.  This is very useful 
in  insuring  your  coin  collections.  Most insurers will insure only 
individual coins, not collections.  In order to have all of your coins 
insured a full list of your coins with current prices and descriptions 
is necessary and COINFILE will provide it.  This allows  you  to  keep 
your  coin collections at home where you can enjoy them rather than in 
a bank vault.  

     Using  your  coin data and the included "want files" COINFILE can 
produce up-to-date want  lists  for  any  of  your  coin  collections.  
COINFILE  comes with most common collection want files already on disk 
and the capability of customizing these to meet your exact  needs.  It 
also  can  write  new  custom  want files under your direction.  It is 
simple to generate a want list for a collection.  The want list prints 
the coins you do not have and the coins and their grades which you  do 
have  but  which  are  inferior  to  the  minimal  grade  you  specify 
(fillers).  

     PRNTLABL.EXE  is  a program which allows you to produce labels to 
stick onto  your  2x2  coin  holders  using  commonly  available  self 
adhesive address labels. This is particularly useful to use just after 
inventorying a collection to check your work. 

     I developed COINFILE as a simple system to learn  and  use.  This 
version  will  run on any MS-DOS computer.  The "COINSTAL.EXE" program 
allows most printers to be set up for use with this system. Through it 
the control codes for setting up the printer can be easily  installed.  
The COINFILE system is copyrighted (1985) by Duchek Computer Services.  


     





                     
                                 2

     The registered  COINFILE  system  comes  on  an  MS-DOS  readable 
double-sided  double-density disk unless otherwise requested.  It uses 
standard ANSI control codes for screen displays and so the ANSI driver 
for your computer is needed for correct  display.  MS-DOS  and  PC-DOS 
systems have an ANSI.SYS or ANSI55.SYS file on their system disk which 
will work fine.  

     The COINFILE system supports  keeping  track  of  the  condition, 
purchase price, purchase date and the current value.  All interactions 
with the various files discussed in this documentation  are  automatic 
and  handled by the program.  The only exception is the initial naming 
of a want file (or a data  file  if  no  corresponding  want  file  is 
created).  Ease  of  use  is the biggest asset of this system,  and in 
general it  can  be  used  with  only  occasional  reference  to  this 
documentation.  


                  AUXILIARY PROGRAMS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE:

CONFIG.SYS -   activates your ANSI.SYS file
     
     The COINFILE package consists of these compiled BASIC programs: 

COIN.EXE -     main inventory program
COINSTAL.EXE - controls and customizes COINSTAL.DAT
INVTSHET.EXE - writes inventory checklists from want files
PRNTLABL.EXE - prints labels of collections for 2 x 2s

     and these data files: 

COINSTAL.DAT - printer/disk defaults (set for EPSON FX80)
COINSTAL.EPS - a safe copy of COINSTAL.DAT
COINSTAL.STR -  printer/disk defaults (for Gemini 10x
printer). This file must be renamed COINSTAL.DAT to be used.

     These  programs  control  the  various  data  files  used  in the 
inventory.  There are three types of data files used in the  inventory 
system.  The first is a file named : 

DATATRAK.SEQ

     This  is  a  sequential file which keeps track of all file names, 
descriptions,  last data access date,  how many coins are in  a  given 
file and their minimum acceptable condition.  It also knows whether  a 
particular  file has a want file related to it.  As sent to you,  this 
file is on the disk but is empty ( has no data in it).  









                                 3

     Other  files  ending  with  the  ".DAT"  descriptors are the user 
generated files containing the inventoried coins.  The file name  used 
must  match  the  file  name  used  for the want file ".WNT".  If your 
Lincoln cent collection uses the want  file  "CENTLIN.WNT"  then  your 
data  file  must be named "CENTLIN.DAT" (or both names must be changed 
to match).  There are no ".DAT" files included in this package   since 
your  coins  have  not been input.  From a user viewpoint,  ".DAT" and 
".WNT" suffixes are taken care of by the computer - you input only the 
first 8 letters of the file name.  

     The following want files are included on the REGISTERED disk : 

3CENTNIC.WNT   Nickel 3 cents
3CENTSIL.WNT   Silver 3 cents
CENHALF.WNT    Half cents
CENTEAGL.WNT   Flying eagle cents
CENTIND.WNT    Indian head cents
CENTLIN.WNT    Lincoln cents
CENTLRG.WNT    Large cents
DIMEBUST.WNT   Bust dimes
DIMELIB.WNT    Liberty head dimes
DIMEMER.WNT    Mercury dimes
DIMEROO.WNT    Roosevelt dimes 
DIMESEAT.WNT   Seated Liberty dimes
DIMHALF.WNT    Half dimes
DOLLIKE.WNT    Eisenhower Dollars
DOLLMOR.WNT    Morgan Dollars
DOLLPEA.WNT    Peace Dollars
DOLLSBA.WNT    S. B. Anthony Dollars
HALFCAP.WNT    Capped halves
HALFFRA.WNT    Franklin halves
HALFKEN.WNT    Kennedy halves --------included without registration
HALFLIB.WNT    Liberty head halves
HALFSEAT.WNT   Seated Liberty halves
HALFWAL.WNT    Walking Liberty halves
MINTSET.WNT    Mint Sets
NICKBUF.WNT    Buffalo nickels
NICKJEF.WNT    Jefferson nickels -----included without registration
NICKLIB.WNT    Liberty head nickels
NICKSHLD.WNT   Shield nickels
PROFSET.WNT    Proof sets
QUARLIB.WNT    Liberty head quarters
QUARSEAT.WNT   Seated Liberty quarters
QUARSLI.WNT    Standing Liberty quarters
QUARWAS.WNT    Washington quarters ---included without registration
TWOCENT.WNT    Two cent pieces









                                 4

   Since the  DATATRAK.SEQ  file  sorts  by  the  file  name  it  is 
advisable  to  put all of your cent collections with the CENT first as 
above (CENTLIN,CENTIND).  This way all of the cent files  will  remain 
together  on  the list.  The want files above are essentially complete 
lists of each collection. Some error coins and coins with special mint 
designations have not been included.  For example,  the 1945 S Mercury 
dime  comes  in two varieties "normal" and "micro" S.  As discussed in 
the coin data structure section,  the program allows for this type  of 
entry  with  no problem.  When comparison is made with the "want file" 
to generate a want list,  the match must be  exact.  We  felt  it  was 
better  to  have  the  user  designate  these  special  coins  to suit 
individual tastes.  COIN.EXE is capable of editing the want files in a 
way that makes this simple. 










































                                 5

                            * Data File Structure *

     Each  collection  in  the  inventory  is kept in a separate file.  
CENTLIN.DAT (or any other file) will hold entries for 1-2500 coins. If 
more room  is  desired  a  second  collection  with  a  name  such  as 
CENTLIN2.DAT  can be started to hold another 2500.  About 4 such files 
(a total of about 10,000 coins - 36 bytes per record x  10,000  =  360 
Kbytes)  can  be  held  on  an single DSDD diskette.  If the files are 
smaller than 2500 coins each, then more files (80-100) with a total of 
about 10,000 (estimated) coins could be on a single diskette.  A  hard 
disk would hold much more.  

     Each coin entry is formatted as shown : 

     Year - any number between 1 and 32725 

     Mint  -up to 10 characters long.  For example,"D/S",  "CC",  "D 3 
LEG" are all good designations of mint mark. In order to have the want 
lists prepared properly,  mint designations in the data file  must  be 
identical  to  those  in  the  want  file ("D 3LEG" will not match "D-
3LEG").  

     Condition - up to 10 characters long as long as the first part of 
the entry is the  "Sheldon  numerical  system  of  grading  (1-70)  as 
indicated  in  the  back  of  "New Photograde - A Photographic Grading 
Guide for U.S.  coins." by James F.  Ruddy.  Thus,  conditions such as 
"67 NICE",  "12 SCRATCH",  or "4/8" are all acceptable conditions.  It 
should be noted that the "4/8" (meaning that the obverse is 4 and  the 
reverse  8)  would by treated as a 4 when generating a want list while 
"8/4" would be treated as an 8. In the Sheldon system G=4, VG=8, F=12, 
VF=20, EF=40, AU=50, BU=60.  Various designations from 60-70 are given 
to exceptional uncirculated coins and these correspond to designations 
such as "Gem BU".  

     Value - The current value of the coin.  The range allowed is from 
$ .01 to $99,999.99 

     Purchase  price  - The price of the coin when you bought it.  The 
range allowed is the same  as  above  for  the  value.  On  all  input 
screens,  a  C.R.(carriage  return)  puts  the current value into this 
location (unless current value retention is stated on screen.) 

     Purchase date - The date when coin was purchased.  This is put in 
as MM/DD/YY.  If a C.R.  is used on any input screen, the current date 
is put in. (unless current value retention is specified on screen.)  










                                 6

         Therefore typical entries might be :

     DATE  MINT   CONDITION   VALUE    P. PRICE    P. DATE

     1960  D LRG   50-NICE    $1.10     $0.50       02/12/84
     1976  D       65 BICENT  $2.00     $1.50       01/23/86
     1945  P       4-SCRATCH  $0.15     $0.25       10/01/85

     Notice that the mint and condition are in  uppercase  only.  This 
is  to  simplify  and speed searches and comparisons which the program 
supports.  The program automatically puts these entries into uppercase 
so that you need not worry about it.  











































                                 7

                            * Want File Structure *       

     The want files are files which contain all of the different coins 
available in a collection. This allows the program COIN.EXE to compare 
what you have in your collection with a "complete" collection  to  see 
what is missing. Of course, ideas differ on what a complete collection 
consists of. Some people feel that proof coins should be included, and 
that certain error coins belong in a collection.  In addition, how you 
specify a particular "error"  coin  such  as  D/S  or  whatever  is  a 
personal  matter.  It is best to print out the want files and check to 
see if all of the  coins  you  consider  important  are  present.  The 
program  is  capable of customizing the want files for you.  (See Want 
Files Menu Description).  

     Each file entry consists of a year and a mint designation.  As in 
the case of the data files, the mint designation can be a 10 character 
string.  In order to write a want list correctly,  the  match  between 
the  coin  in  the data file and want file must be exact.  Any date in 
the data file that is below the minimum  grade  you  specify  will  be 
displayed as wanted along with the highest grade that you already have 
(See sample want list printout).  

     I  use  the  COINFILE system and find that the want lists are the 
most useful single feature.  I can take these to coin  shows  or  mail 
them to dealers quite conveniently.  

     Active  want  files are associated with the data file of the same 
name  (CENTLIN.DAT  and  CENTLIN.WNT).   To  get  a  want  list  of  a 
collection,  both  files  must  be available.  The want files provided 
with this system are not active until a data file with the  same  name 
is written to go with them .























                                 8

                              * GETTING STARTED *

     On  your purchase of COINFILE,  the first thing you need to do is 
to accurately inventory your coin collection.  If  you  have  a  large 
collection of coins, taking an inventory is a long job.  It is best to 
do  it one series at a time,  and do the job well so that mistakes are 
minimized.  The computer can print an "inventory sheet" to assist  you 
for any collection which has a want file associated with it.  Type  in 
INVTSHET  and follow the directions to print an inventory sheet.  This 
sheet lists out the dates and mints in a collection and leaves  blanks 
for the condition,  value,  purchase price and date.  At the bottom of 
each page blanks are left for any coin you feel is not suitably  named 
in the want file.  These coins should be added to the want file before 
a want list is generated.  

     Your  copy  of  COINFILE  comes  on an MS-DOS DSDD data diskette.  
This means that there is no system on the disk and  if  you  wish  the 
disk  to  be  self-booting  you  should  provide a copy of your system 
files.  It is sensible to use the COINFILE diskette for a safe copy so 
the first thing to do is make your working copy of the program.  

     This  system  requires that ANSI standard screen control codes be 
used.  MS-DOS and PC-DOS systems have an "ANSI.SYS" file  which  comes 
on  the  system disk.  If this file is called by the "CONFIG.SYS" file 
your computer will emulate an "ANSI" terminal.  In the CONFIG.SYS file 
on the coinfile disk it is named ANSI.SYS.  If your system has another 
name for this file (SANYO calls it ANSI55.SYS),  You  need  either  to 
rename  the  ANSI55.SYS  file  to  ANSI.SYS  after copying it from the 
system disk or you must use EDLIN (your MS-DOS line editor) to  change 
the name of the file called in the CONFIG.SYS file.  Since each MS-DOS 
system has its own ANSI driver this must be obtained from your  MS-DOS 
system disk to interface with the COINFILE system. It is this ANSI.SYS 
file which allows the COINFILE system to be run on any MS-DOS system.  

                          * DISK DRIVE INSTALLATION *

     FOR TWO DRIVE SYSTEMS:

     Put your MS-DOS (or PC-DOS) disk in drive A:
     Put a blank diskette in drive B:

     Type "FORMAT B:/S"

     Your  computer should instruct you to ensure the diskettes are in 
the proper drives.  Follow your computer's directions until the format 
is complete.  








                                 9

     Copy  your  ANSI.SYS file from your MS-DOS or PC-DOS disk to your 
newly formatted disk by typing : 

     "COPY A:ANSI.SYS B:"

     Remove your MS-DOS diskette  from  drive  A:  and  return  it  to 
storage.  You  are now ready to copy COINFILE onto this disk.  Put the 
write-protected copy of COINFILE into drive A: and type: 

     "COPY A:*.* B:"

     When all of the files have  been  copied,  remove  COINFILE  from 
drive A: and place it in safe storage.  Label the new disk in drive B: 

    "COINFILE - WORKING COPY".  

     Now  format a "data" disk by putting your MS-DOS or PC-DOS system 
disk into drive A: and a blank disk in drive B:. Type: 

     "FORMAT B:"

     When the formatting is  finished  label  the  disk  in  drive  B: 
"COINFILE - DATA DISK". To run the coin system put your "working copy" 
in  drive A:  and your "data disk" in drive B:  and reboot the system. 
This will install the ANSI.SYS  driver.  Then  follow  the  directions 
which appear on the screen to enter the COIN program.  




























                                 
                                 10

     FOR ONE DRIVE SYSTEMS:

     Put your MS-DOS or PC-DOS disk in your disk drive.

     Type "FORMAT /S"

     Your  computer will tell you to remove the system disk and insert 
the disk to be formatted.  Put in a blank disk. The computer will tell 
you to hit any key to start. Do so.  

     For most MS-DOS systems type "COPY  ANSI.SYS  B:".  The  computer 
will  determine  that only one drive is available and give you prompts 
to put the source or destination disk in.  Your  system  disk  is  the 
source  (A:)  and  your  newly  formatted disk is the destination disk 
(B:).  

     Now type "COPY *.* B:" and use the provided COINFILE disk as  the 
source (A:) disk and your newly formatted disk as the destination (B:) 
disk.  

     If  you  have  trouble  with  this,  check your MS-DOS manual for 
computer specific directions on formatting and copying disks. Some MS-
DOS computers have special ways of  doing  single  disk  copying.  For 
example,  the  SANYO  requires  the use of a program "SCOPY.EXE" to do 
single disk drive copying.  






























                                 11

     HARD DISK INSTALLATION:

     For these purposes,  I will assume that your hard disk is  called 
drive C:. Make drive C: the default drive by typing: 

    "C:"

     Now  set  up  a  subdirectory called COIN to receive the COINFILE 
system by typing: 

     "MKDIR COIN"

     Enter the subdirectory by typing: 

     "CHDIR COIN"

     Put the COINFILE disk into drive  A:.  Copy  the  coin  files  by 
typing: 

     "COPY A:*.* C:"


     The  system  comes  set  up  for an MS-DOS computer with two DSDD 
floppy disk drives and an EPSON FX-80 printer.  It  assumes  a  system 
disk  in  the  default  drive (A:) and a data disk in the second drive 
(B:).  Data files are written to the B:  drive and want files are kept 
on the A:  drive with the programs.  The DATATRAK.SEQ and COINSTAL.DAT 
files must be kept on the default drive.  The default drive is usually 
the A:  drive unless you specifically change it or you are operating a 
hard disk.  The COINSTAL.EXE program allows you to redefine the drives 
that are used for the want files and the data files to any letters you 
wish.  


     NOTE:  Unless you really enjoy typing,  be sure to also  back  up 
your  data  disks,  DATATRAK.SEQ,  COINSTAL.DAT and any want files you 
make changes in at frequent intervals.  Remember it is always possible 
in any program you buy or write to turn a disk to garbage by  entering 
the  wrong  command  or turning off the computer with a file open.  Be 
safe, not sorry.  















                                 12

                            * Printer Installation *

     The COINSTAL.EXE program allows  you  to  put  in  the  necessary 
control codes for your printer.  The Data Source classification allows 
file printouts to refer to your method of grading and  where  you  get 
pricing  information.   There  is  a  complete  description  of  using 
COINSTAL.EXE at the end of the documentation.  



     PRINTER SETTING          EPSON     GEMINI 10X     YOURS
     =========================================================
     17 CHAR/INCH           27 33 68    27 66 3        _______
     12 CHAR/INCH           27 33 65    27 66 2        _______
     10 CHAR/INCH           27 33 64    27 66 1        _______
     DOUBLE WIDTH           14          14             _______
     SKIP OVER PERFORATION  27 78 12    27 78 6        _______
     AND BOTTOM MARGIN
     TOP MARGIN             0           27 82 6        _______
     LEFT MARGIN            27 77 10    27 77 10       _______
     PRINTER RESET          27 64       27 64          _______
     SET LINES/PAGE         27 67 66    27 67 66       _______
     TOP OF PAGE            12          12             _______































                                 13

                          * Putting The Inventory In *


     Once the coin collection has been inventoried,  it is ready to be 
put on the computer.  Type "COIN".  After several seconds a menu (main 
menu)  will  appear  on  your  CRT  screen.  Enter the letter "B".  An 
editing menu will appear.  Enter the letter "F" or "G" to start a  new 
coin  file.  The  "F"  option  requires  that  you put in year,  mint, 
condition, value, purchase price and date. This option is good for new 
collections  which  are  very  incomplete.  The  "G"  option  uses  an 
existing want file for dates and mints so that you only have to put in 
the condition,  value, purchase price and date.  A carriage return for 
the purchase price inputs the current value. A carriage return for the 
date  inputs  the  current  date.   This  option   is   useful   after 
inventorying  (using  the  inventory  sheet)  an extensive collection. 
Duplicate coins can be added to the file later using the editing menu.  

     OPTION "F":

     The computer will ask you for the "Century  of  the  collection." 
This  number  will  be added to the year of your entries if the number 
your enter is less than 100.  Thus the year 1910  can  be  entered  as 
"1910" or as "10" if 1900 was the specified century.  

     You  will  be  asked  for  the  data  one at a time.  To exit the 
program and save the file,  input a `0' for the year.  Later additions 
to the file can be made through the same editing menu but using choice 
A. In this case the century is automatically set from the last coin in 
the file.  

     OPTION "G":

     After  you  give the computer the file name,  it locates the want 
file and goes through the collection one coin at a time  requesting  a 
condition,  value,  purchase price and date.  If you hit enter for the 
condition,  the computer keeps that coin from  being  entered  in  the 
growing data file.  

     Once you have a file in, further file handling is done using then 
various  menus  available  (Main,  Editing,  Datatrak,  Want,  Print). 
Directions for using these are on the following pages.  

     Anytime a DATATRAK.SEQ,  data file,  or want file is  written  to 
disk  it  is properly sorted first.  Since this is true,  You need not 
worry about the order you put data in or how the file gets  back  into 
order after you make a change.









                                 14

                            * Main Menu Description*

     The  main  menu  of  COIN.EXE is the central menu of the program.  
From it you can reach any other menu of the program.  All of the other 
menus return to this menu.  It contains six entries.  

     A.     Open collection disk file
     B.     Current file editing
     C.     Filename/description/minimum editing
     D.     Print out utility
     E.     Want file editing
     F.     Close all files and end.

     A.  This  entry displays the data file names and descriptions and 
allows you to choose any of the files you have in store.  On making  a 
choice, you are returned to the main menu.  When a file is active, the 
file description is displayed below the title of this menu.  

     B.  This entry sends you  to  the  Data  File  Editing  Menu.  In 
general  you  should have a file open (see A) before using this entry.  
The exception is when you write a new file (E or F) you use this menu. 
(see getting started).  

     C.  This entry sends you to a menu  from  which  you  can  change 
existing file names,  descriptions, or minimum acceptable conditions . 
(see DATATRAK.SEQ file editing) 

     D.  This entry displays a print menu which lists your options for 
printing. (see Print Menu) 

     E.  This entry sends you to a menu which allow the writing of new 
want files or editing existing want files.  

     F.  This entry does system housekeeping and properly  closes  all 
files and returns you to the operating system. This is the only proper 
exit from the program. 




















                                 15

                         * Data File Menu Description *

     This  menu  is  reached  by  entering a "B" at the main menu.  It 
expects that there is an active file in memory (chosen  by  main  menu 
selection A) for choices A-E below. Since F generates a new file there 
should  be  no active file in memory when it is chosen.  Note that the 
active file name is displayed on screen.  All edited files are  sorted 
before being written to disk.  

          A..........Add new entries.
          B..........Remove current entries.
          C..........Change current entries.
          D..........Display current file.
          E..........Update coin values for entire file.
          F..........Start new coin file.
          G..........Start new coin file using want file.
          H..........Kill current file.     
          R..........Return to main menu

     A.  This routine calculates the century and allows you to add new 
coins to a collection.  It uses the same routine as (F) except that it 
appends  the  coins  to  an  already  existing  file.  The  century is 
calculated from the last coin in collection.  

     B.  This choice allows you to remove data from an existing  file. 
Give  the  computer the year you are interested in and it will display 
all the coins of that year in the  file  with  index  numbers.  Simply 
input  the  index  no.  of  the  entry to be deleted.  An entry of '0' 
reverses the process by one step.  

     C.  Uses the same system as  entry  B  but  once  you  specify  a 
particular coin it allows changes of the year, mint, condition, value, 
purchase price or date.  

     D.  Displays  the  current file on the CRT screen pausing at each 
full screen.  The display can start at any date and quit at the end of 
any screen.  

     E.  Goes  through  the  entire  file  to allow you to update coin 
values. Simply hit enter to retain an old value.  Provision is made to 
stop after any coin.  

     F.  Starts  a  new  coin file from scratch.  Writes file name and 
information to DATATRAK.SEQ and takes data from  keyboard,  sorts  and 
writes data file.  

     G.  Starts  a new coin file by loading a want file and displaying 
it one coin at a time.  It saves typing since you don't have to  enter 
the  year  and mint.  Simply hit enter to eliminate the displayed coin 
from  the  data  file.  Duplicate coins can be added later through the 
normal editing routine.  





                                 16

     H.  This deletes the current data file.  This is the only  proper 
way to accomplish this since the program must update DATATRAK.SEQ.  

     R.  Returns control to the Main Menu.



















































                                 17

                       * DataTrak File Menu Description *

     This  menu  is reached by entering "C" at the main menu.  It does 
not care if there is an open data file or not.  This menu  allows  you 
to change file names, file descriptions, or minimum conditions.  

     A.     Change file name.
     B.     Change file description.
     C.     Change minimum acceptable condition.

     R.     Return to main menu

     A.  This  will  display  all file names and descriptions.  Simply 
choose the index number wanted and give the new file  name.  When  you 
return to the menu the file is sorted and copied to disk.  

     B.  This  uses  the  same  display  as  A  but  now asks for file 
descriptions to be changed.  When you return to the menu the  file  is 
sorted and copied to disk.  

     C.   Each   data   file  has  a  "minimum  acceptable  condition" 
associated with it.  This is the minimum condition  desirable  in  the 
file.  When  making  up  a  want list any coin below this condition is 
noted on the want list as if it was a  filler  and  a  better  one  is 
desired.  This  feature can be disabled by putting a 1 as your minimum 
acceptable condition.  

     R.  Returns control to main menu.  




























                                 18

                           * Print Menu Description *

     This menu is reached  by  entering  "D"  at  the  main  menu.  It 
controls all printed output of COIN.EXE.  

     CURRENT FILES:              (CURRENT FILE NAME DISPLAY)
     --------------------------------------------------
     A..........Print current file
     B..........Print want list for current file.
     C..........Print current file and current want list.
     D..........Print current want file.
     --------------------------------------------------
     ALL FILES :
     E..........Print all files.
     F..........Print want lists for all files.
     G..........Print all files and all want lists.
     H..........Print all want files.
     --------------------------------------------------
     I..........Print insurance list (no purchase price or date).
     J..........Print DATATRAK.SEQ file information.

     R          Return to main menu.

     A.  Prints current active file (see file description displayed on 
screen).  Year,mint,condition,value, purchase price and date.  

     B.  Calculates the want list for the  currently  named  file  and 
prints it. The collection value is totaled.  

     C. Prints both of the above for the currently active file.  

     D.  Prints  the want file itself to help you find what each entry 
is currently called. This is useful for properly naming your coins.  

     E. Prints the same output as in selection A for all files in your 
collection. All collections are totaled and a grand total is printed.  

     F. Prints the same output as in selection B for all files.  

     G. Prints coin files and want files for all files.  

     H.  Prints all want files  which  are  active  (have  collections 
associated with them.  

     I.  Prints output to be sent to insurance company. This is a list 
of coins,  conditions,  and current value.  All collection values  are 
totaled and a grand total is printed.  









                                 19

     J. Prints out the information contained in the DATATRAK.SEQ file. 
This file is important since it controls all of the set parameters for 
the collection files.  

     R. Returns control to main menu.


















































                                 20

                         * Want File Menu Description *

     This menu is reached by entering "E" from  the  main  menu.  This 
menu allows you to edit the existing want files or write new ones.  If 
you enter an "E" with no active file, the computer assumes you want to 
write a new want file and runs this routine.  To escape, hit enter for 
the file name.  

     A-----Add new entries to want files.
     B-----Remove current entries from want files.
     C-----Change current entries to want files.
     D-----Display want file
     E-----Generate a new want file

     R-----Return to main menu

     A.  Add new entries to the want file.  While in this area you can 
enter '0' to back up one command.  

     B.  Remove entries from the want file.  Enter '0' to back up  one 
command.  

     C. Change entries to want file. All of these routines sort before 
writing.  

     D. Displays the want file on the CRT screen.  

     E.  Sets  up  a  new  want  file.  Use  of this requires a little 
practice.  You give the first year,  last year and mint and it sets up 
all  the  years  in  between.  Keep doing this until all the mints are 
covered.  The routine then gives you a  chance  to  delete  individual 
entries.  Finally,  you  can add special coins (D/S) etc.  The routine 
then sorts the file and writes it to disk.  

     R. Return control to main menu.





















                                 21

                        * Preparing an Inventory Sheet *

     INVTSHET.EXE is an independent program which simply prints out  a 
requested  want  list  in  a  form  which  allows  you to write in the 
condition, value purchase price and date of each coin in a collection.  
It is useful when you are inventorying a collection prior to  inputing 
the  data into the computer.  It is also useful for examining the want 
file coin names to decide if you  wish  to  customize  them. 
















































                                 22

                      * RUNNING THE COINSTAL.EXE PROGRAM *

     The  COINSTAL.EXE  is  an independent program which allows you to 
control the disk drive access and printer output in the  COINFILE.  As 
it  comes  on disk COINSTAL.DAT is set up for the EPSON FX-80 printer. 
It assumes that your system will be using 2 disk drives  (A:  and  B:) 
and a default drive (this is usually the A: drive). If you have a hard 
disk or if your printer is not EPSON compatible,  you will have to run 
this program to adjust the COINFILE system to your set-up. In addition 
this program allows you to tell the system how you  grade  your  coins 
and  what  references  you  use  to  determine your coin values.  This 
information is printed out with the coin  collections.


     To run this program type "COINSTAL" and a menu will appear.

     These are the current set disk parameters:

     1      Drive to write want files to : A:
     2      Drive to write data files to : B:

     All other files are written to the default drive.  (This  is  the 
drive which was active before you enter the COIN.EXE program).  

     3      Set up printer parameters
     4      Data Sources
     5      Write revised COINSTAL.DAT file - end program.

     1 and 2. These menu items allow you to direct input and output of 
your data and want files to any disk drive and directory you want.  If 
the drive you specify does not contain the file you have asked for  an 
error message (see If you have trouble...) will be stated. Check to be 
sure  your  want and data files are on the disk and directory which is 
listed when this program is run.  Either or both of these  can  be  on 
the default disk or your hard disk if you have one.  

     If  you  have set both of these to the letter designation of your 
hard disk and start the COIN.EXE program with the default  disk  being 
the  hard disk all input and output will go to the hard disk.  (Please 
note that the default disk is the disk designated by  the  DOS  before 
the programs in the COINFILE system are run.) 

     3.  This  menu  item  leads you to a second menu which allows you 
define the following printer control codes.  

     A     17 char/inch
     B     12 char/inch









                                 23
     C     10 char/inch
     D     Double width mode set
     E     Enable skip over perforations and bottom margin
     F     Top margin
     G     Left margin
     H     Printer reset
     I     Set lines per page
     J     Skip to top of next page

     All of these are  defined  as  strings  of  ASCII  code  and  are 
displayed as decimal numbers on the menu.  By choosing a menu item you 
are then asked to give the control codes your printer uses.  These can 
be any length.  This setup can "trick" the  program  into  giving  you 
almost  anything  you want.  If you wanted all italics in your output, 
simply tack the italics control  codes  for  your  printer  after  the 
printer reset codes. The printer is reset before every printout so you 
will reset to whatever state you like. All margins and print sizes are 
under  your control.  (This may cause your printer to overrun the line 
if you use unreasonable values.).  If you don't want the double  width 
titles  simply  reset  that  mode  set  to  '0'.  The program is quite 
flexible within the limits of your printer.  

     The system comes with two COINSTAL.DAT files made up.  The  first 
is  COINSTAL.EPS  which  is  for  the  EPSON FX-80,  and the second is 
COINSTAL.STR which is for the Gemini 10x.  Others may be added as time 
goes  on.  The  file  labeled COINSTAL.DAT is a second copy of the the 
EPSON file. It is this file which is changed by using the COINSTAL.EXE 
program.  

     4. If you choose this entry it will display the current method of 
pricing and grading your coins and give you an opportunity  to  change 
it. The comments here are printed with each printout of any file.  

     5.  This option allows you to leave the program and save or abort 
the changes you have made.  





















                                 24

                       * PRINTING LABELS WITH COIN FILE *

     The  COIN  FILE system comes with a label printing program called 
"PRNTLABL.EXE".  Its main purpose is to print out small  labels  which 
can  be  used  with  the 2 x 2s that many coin collectors use to store 
their coins.  A secondary purpose I have found useful is that it makes 
it easy to check the inventory you have made.  If you print labels for 
a data file and you cannot locate a coin to  match  each  label  or  a 
label  with  the  correct grading for each coin,  you are alerted to a 
problem with the inventory.  

     Since most printers have trouble using very  small  labels  (They 
fall off and get stuck in the printer) this label printing program was 
designed  for  3  1/2  x  15/16  inch single wide address labels.  The 
program prints 6 coin labels on each address label as shown: 

        1968 D          1968 P         1968 S
        65              20 SCRATCH     60

        1969 D          1969 P         1969 S
        20              12 DIRTY       65

     Two continuous scissor cuts separate the columns of  labels.  One 
additional  cut separates label pairs.  All six labels have an edge to 
separate them from their backing.  I usually try to keep  the  columns 
together  until  I  am ready to stick them to the 2x2.  The labels are 
small enough not to interfere with viewing the coin except in the case 
of the dollar coins which have very narrow borders.  Half-dollar  2x2s 
may  occasionally  have  trouble  if the labels are long.  The coin is 
protected by the clear Mylar from the label in any case.  

     The PRNTLABL.EXE program uses a menu to allow you to print out  a 
whole data file or a partial (but continuous) data file.  It will also 
allow you to go through a data file and "pick and choose" the ones you 
want to print.  A fourth menu selection allows you to manually put  in 
and print any labels you might wish.  

     The  program  is run by typing "PRNTLABL" FROM THE MS-DOS prompt.  

















                                 25

                        * If you are having trouble ...*

     This program has been written in BASIC and extensively  debugged. 
We use this system ourselves and any bugs that we have found have been 
corrected.  All of our care not withstanding, it has been said that no 
program is ever totally bug free.  We cannot guarantee perfection.  It 
is  possible that you may discover a bug;  if so,  we would appreciate 
your help in correcting it. Please note down the symptoms and what you 
were doing when the bug occurred and mail these to: 

                         John R. Duchek
                    Duchek Computer Services
                         P. O. Box 25006
                       St. Louis, MO 63125

     We will  attempt  to  get  back  to  you  with  a  correction  or 
interpretation of the phenomenon as soon as possible.  

     Some problems which are not bugs which you may run across : 

     1.  If  you  have not loaded in the ANSI.SYS (ANSI55.SYS) on your 
the working disk,  the clear screen and graphics commands will  appear 
on  the  screen  as  "garbage"  such as "[2J".  Most of these commands 
start with an escape ( "[" ).  The cure to this is be  sure  that  the 
CONFIG.SYS file and ANSI.SYS are on the default disk and that you boot 
up  using this disk before using COIN.EXE.  Be sure also that the name 
of the ANSI.SYS file is the same  with  the  name  asked  for  in  the 
CONFIG.SYS file.  

     2.  If  you  manage  to  illegally  leave the COIN.EXE program by 
removing the disk from the machine before files were properly  written 
and  closed then data may disappear.  This may be data in a data file, 
want file or if it is in the DATATRAK.SEQ file COIN.EXE may no  longer 
recognize whole files. The proper way to leave COIN.EXE is through the 
main  menu  entry "F" although you may get by simply removing the disk 
at many menu points. (i.e you may or may not get by with it.) 

     3. File not found at ABCD:WXYZ. This error message means that you 
have tried to load a file which does not exist.  This could be due  to 
number  2  above.  It more likely is due to your file not being on the 
disk that the computer was told to look on. If you decide to keep your 
want files on drive B:  with your data files and you  did  not  update 
using  theCOINSTAL  program,  the computer will be looking on drive A: 
for your want files.










                                 26

                                  * WARRANTY *

     Duchek Computer Services will be happy  to  replace  a  defective 
disk  if the programs are unreadable.  We are not responsible for lost 
or incorrect data due to improper use of these programs.  The COINFILE 
system is provided on an as-is basis. Only REGISTERED users will be 
notified of major updates or improvements.


     This documentation is for VERSION 2.03.












































                                 27



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