The original coin album recreated, Beistle Unique Coin Holder

Mr_Spud

For more info, check out the Vintage Coin Album group over on MyCollect

The original coin album - on October 26, 1927 Martin Luther Beistle filed for a patent for his latest invention, a coin album with clear celluloid slides so that you can see the coins. He was a coin collector who first came up with the idea so that he could display and study his half dollar collection. These albums are the forerunner of the Wayte Raymond albums and are also the original albums that evolved into all modern coin albums.

He named the albums The Unique Coin Holder and made them at his paper/cardboard novelty manufacturing company (best known today for Halloween decorations) and sold the album covers and pages/boards himself. The patent was granted by the U.S. Patent Office on July 9, 1929. Shortly thereafter Wayte Raymond took over the Marketing and distribution. Beistle album covers had separate back and front covers with perforations for 2 binder rings that went through holes in the pages/boards. After Wayte Raymond started selling them one of the first things he did was to change the cover to a one piece wrap around binder.

The first picture above is a picture of the patent drawings that I downloaded off of the U.S. Patent Office website. I also included pictures of one of these albums from my own collection. I’ve managed to locate and purchase 3 sets of these Unique Coin Holder covers and 6 of the original Beistle pages/boards. They are all considered very rare but can be found if you search hard enough where they are mixed in with Wayte Raymond albums and pages. Most people don’t know what they are and they think they are regular Wayte Raymond products.

I want to give a special thanks and acknowledgement to the late David Lange. Without his book “The National Coin Album & Related Products of Beistle, Raymond & Meghrig” I would have never been able to figure all this out. I had ordered the book directly from him through Amazon and he messaged me saying it was going to be late and he then delivered it to me autographed. Just a few months after I received it I learned he had passed away. Such a tragedy, hewas truly great.

If you’ve read this far, and are interested to find out more about how to identify the original Beistle covers and pages/boards I encourage you to check out the Vintage Coin Album group over at MyCollect. I set up the group and put a lot more pictures and info.

Thanks for reading

braddick

Sweet!

emeraldATV

Looking at the spec's, one thing rang true in my thoughts.
I have the ways and means to produce any type, or style of whats in your photo's.
It's just a few die sizes placed in the chase of a windmill press, which I have been a part of, for over 20 yrs. just down the street from where I'm sitting
Don't laugh but, Pogs ,came to mind also.
Just for giggles, Bubba.
Cool

Namvet69

Thanks for sharing this slice of numismatic history. I like the board size and the staggered openings. Peace Roy

gumby1234

Now you have to fill it with some nice coins.

johnny9434

Cool 😎

OAKSTAR

Really enjoy seeing this. I'm an album guy. I get the sense here that album guys are a dying breed.

Edit: What am I saying. This is a TPG'er forum. It's slab focused..........never mind!

rec78

@OAKSTAR said:
Really enjoy seeing this. I'm an album guy. I get the sense here that album guys are a dying bread.

Edit: What am I saying. This is a TPG'er forum. It's slab focused..........never mind!

dying bread?? breed!

Mr_Spud

@emeraldATV said:
Looking at the spec's, one thing rang true in my thoughts.
I have the ways and means to produce any type, or style of whats in your photo's.
It's just a few die sizes placed in the chase of a windmill press, which I have been a part of, for over 20 yrs. just down the street from where I'm sitting
Don't laugh but, Pogs ,came to mind also.
Just for giggles, Bubba.
Cool

I’d actually love to see a modern reproduction made of one of these.

NeophyteNumismatist

Reading this makes me think of David Lang. Cool write-up that sparked a cool memory. Thanks.

OAKSTAR

@rec78 said:

@OAKSTAR said:
Really enjoy seeing this. I'm an album guy. I get the sense here that album guys are a dying bread.

Edit: What am I saying. This is a TPG'er forum. It's slab focused..........never mind!

dying bread?? breed!

Thank you, I'm dyslexic or something! 😫 Although, it was funny! Dead Bread; a new numismatic term. 🤣 😂