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Combining coin collecting with other Interests

I started coin collecting a few years ago because it aligned with my interest in U.S history. The coin in my collection that probably reflects this association the most is my AU50 Fugio cent. I purposely acquired a circulated Fugio because I liked speculating on its history. Could George Washington have used it to buy apples for himself and Martha? Could it have been in Franklin or Jefferson’s pocket at one time? It’s kind of fun to fantasize.

Somewhat oddly, coin collecting also worked with another hobby of mine – woodworking. I decided recently to build display boxes to house two gold coin sets. These are “personal sets” because they do not conform to any date, mint or variety definition. They are just “sets” based on what interested me at the time. The first photo shows my first two walnut coin display boxes. These designs are pretty traditional so I decided I needed to stretch and be more creative.

I call my third design The Cliff House because it reminds me of the Mesa Verde settlements. Although the main body is made from walnut, the drawer faces use birdseye maple. The beauty of this wood is difficult to appreciate in the second photo below. The Cliff House holds my completed mint state Peace dollar collection.

I was attracted to fractional California gold because the 1849 gold rush was problematic in several respects. First, the tracks for the transcontinental railroad had yet to be laid and the Panama Canal was still a figment of Ferdinand de Lesseps’ imagination. It was a long journey between our two coasts. Second the San Francisco mint was also yet to be built so there was a very limited supply of standardized coinage. Finally, the size and octagon shape of privately-produced, fractional gold coins seems like it would have been an impractical solution for commerce. So I built The Rolodex coin box shown in the third photo for my gold octagonal 25¢, 50¢ and $1 coins. The lighter wood for this box is maple but I used wenge for the contrasting dark wood.

I call my latest box (shown in the final photo) The Library. The dark wood in this case is Bolivian Rosewood. Not only does it have a beautiful grain, but it also feels like satin to the touch. Not shown in the photos are the side panels which are made from padauk; a brownish-red color wood with a bold black grain. I call this box The Library because the slabbed coins are set on the shelves like books. This case is used for my type 1 and 2, one dollar gold coins. Since it will take several years to complete the set, I created some faux books to occupy the slots of missing coins. The spine of the faux books list the date, mint and PCGS type number.

So now I am able to join three interests together: coin collecting, U.S. history and woodworking. Life is good! (PS – I am now working on a whimsical, animated design that uses good old American white oak. I may incorporate some brass features into this design as well as 3Dprinting some of the mechanical pieces.)

Comments

  • TomBTomB Posts: 22,075 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Those are fantastic!

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 2,413 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Beautiful work. Great trifecta.

  • The_Dinosaur_ManThe_Dinosaur_Man Posts: 1,089 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That is really cool!

    Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
    Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
    https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.

  • lermishlermish Posts: 3,738 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Gorgeous work!

    @Pedzola Check these out.

    chopmarkedtradedollars.com

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 35,790 ✭✭✭✭✭

    the forum could keep you busy woodworking

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 35,790 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Raptor48 said:
    I started coin collecting a few years ago because it aligned with my interest in U.S history. The coin in my collection that probably reflects this association the most is my AU50 Fugio cent. I purposely acquired a circulated Fugio because I liked speculating on its history. Could George Washington have used it to buy apples for himself and Martha? Could it have been in Franklin or Jefferson’s pocket at one time? It’s kind of fun to fantasize.

    this is quite common

    Somewhat oddly, coin collecting also worked with another hobby of mine – woodworking. I decided recently to build display boxes to house two gold coin sets. These are “personal sets” because they do not conform to any date, mint or variety definition. They are just “sets” based on what interested me at the time. The first photo shows my first two walnut coin display boxes. These designs are pretty traditional so I decided I needed to stretch and be more creative.

    PCGS plastic boxes hold 20 coins. people here talk about their box of 20. the idea is the same be you housing them is so much better!

    I call my third design The Cliff House because it reminds me of the Mesa Verde settlements. Although the main body is made from walnut, the drawer faces use birdseye maple. The beauty of this wood is difficult to appreciate in the second photo below. The Cliff House holds my completed mint state Peace dollar collection.

    beautiful display case!

    some try to complete sets with all in the same grade. some is what is affordable. how'd you choose which coins to add?

    I was attracted to fractional California gold because the 1849 gold rush was problematic in several respects. First, the tracks for the transcontinental railroad had yet to be laid and the Panama Canal was still a figment of Ferdinand de Lesseps’ imagination. It was a long journey between our two coasts. Second the San Francisco mint was also yet to be built so there was a very limited supply of standardized coinage. Finally, the size and octagon shape of privately-produced, fractional gold coins seems like it would have been an impractical solution for commerce. So I built The Rolodex coin box shown in the third photo for my gold octagonal 25¢, 50¢ and $1 coins. The lighter wood for this box is maple but I used wenge for the contrasting dark wood.

    got pics of them to share?

    I call my latest box (shown in the final photo) The Library. The dark wood in this case is Bolivian Rosewood. Not only does it have a beautiful grain, but it also feels like satin to the touch. Not shown in the photos are the side panels which are made from padauk; a brownish-red color wood with a bold black grain. I call this box The Library because the slabbed coins are set on the shelves like books. This case is used for my type 1 and 2, one dollar gold coins. Since it will take several years to complete the set, I created some faux books to occupy the slots of missing coins. The spine of the faux books list the date, mint and PCGS type number.

    keep it away from hard flooring

    So now I am able to join three interests together: coin collecting, U.S. history and woodworking. Life is good! (PS – I am now working on a whimsical, animated design that uses good old American white oak. I may incorporate some brass features into this design as well as 3Dprinting some of the mechanical pieces.)

    do you carve wood too?

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • Raptor48Raptor48 Posts: 8 ✭✭

    Thank you all for the compliments. I am stiving to be even more creative. I will post again should my next project result in something acceptable.

  • LukeMarshallLukeMarshall Posts: 2,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I love the woodworking and how you are relating it to coin collecting.

    Some really unique and great designs there, keep it up !

    It's all about what the people want...

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 35,790 ✭✭✭✭✭

    hearing about the wood choices is good too

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • humanssuckhumanssuck Posts: 519 ✭✭✭✭✭

    As a fellow wood worker, I'm impressed. Excellent job.

  • littlebearlittlebear Posts: 1,555 ✭✭✭✭

    Absolutely awesome!

    Autism Awareness: There is no limit to the good you can do, if you don't care who gets the credit.
  • Aspie_RoccoAspie_Rocco Posts: 3,626 ✭✭✭✭✭
  • OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 8,107 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Brilliant craftsmanship! 👍 👍 I can smell that wood from here!

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

  • pcgsregistrycollectorpcgsregistrycollector Posts: 1,441 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Beautiful!

    God comes first in everything I do. I’m dedicated to serving Him with my whole life. Coin collecting is just a hobby—but even in that, I seek to honor Him. ✝️

  • taropatch99taropatch99 Posts: 204 ✭✭✭

    Very nice work raptor. I enjoy collecting driftwood and interesting root systems and branches left over from my landcaping.
    Do a little carving too. The materials are there waiting for me -- just got to buckle down and do it.

    Formerly known as deadmunny
    Positive transactions with: slantycouch, dontippet, Gerard, Scrapman1077, USMC_6115, rah1959

  • StellaStella Posts: 717 ✭✭✭✭✭

    These are very cool! Great job.

    Coin collector since childhood and New York Numismatist at Heritage Auctions.
  • U1chicagoU1chicago Posts: 6,509 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Very well done!

  • john_nyc1john_nyc1 Posts: 199 ✭✭✭

    Very impressive! I combine coin collecting with my other hobby: drinking. ;)

    Casual collector: Morgans & Peace Dollars & 20th Century Type Set. Successful BST transactions with ProofCollection, Morgan13, CoinFinder, CoinHunter4, Bretsan.

  • ChrisH821ChrisH821 Posts: 6,722 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice work! You should do commissions. There are certainly some here who would want a nice custom wood coin cabinet.

    Collector, occasional seller

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