IT'S ABOUT COINS AND WOOD

MORGANHUNTER2

Not trying to get away from the subject of coins and what the meaning of life is, but I'm attempting to build a display case for my cions that are/will be slabbed. I have at present 3 different types of wood: cherry, black oak, and mahogany- all have been dried for about 2 years now, all planed ready for me to do some fun things with.

From the board- is there a problem with any particular wood maybe interfacing with the coin- all will be slabbed so I don't see any inert gases getting to the coin- any suggestions. In case you all wonder- I do woodwork as a sideline and can make anything, for anyone, anytime, NO blow up dolls! The info would help. I also have connections for exotic woods as well. I'm not selling here just looking for a few answers.

Sequitur

is there a problem with any particular wood maybe interfacing with the coin

Search the archives. There was an extensive discussion about this very topic in relation to PCGS's cherrywood boxes, or whatever the heck they are.

The prior discussion had a lot of information, and links to scientific reports, about which woods leech chemicals X, Y Z, the rate at which they leech, and how it affects coins. Some of it was pretty technical, it appeared to be a thorough discussion, and it sounds as though the previous discussion would answer nearly all your questions.

mdwoods

I've never heard of any problem, but I doubt if any sort of long term study has been done. Speaking of wood, a picked up a CD drawer cabinet. It's small, imported and made from some unknown wood that gives off the neatist aromatic smell when you open it. I have no idea what kind of wood it is.

MORGANHUNTER2

Thanks seq, I know that oak can leech if not dried properly, as for cherry- I've been working cherry for over 20 years, I'll try to find the post.

MD- the only wood I know that can give off any 'smell' would be cedar, which is good to repel certain insects from harming cloth/linen items. Use cedar chips in my yard- gets rid of most bugs.

Sequitur

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4

Link 5

Link 6

Link 7

elwood

I believe Mahogany is the wood of choice. Oak being the worst choice. Cherry????

MORGANHUNTER2

seq. Thanks for the links, although they are correct that some woods have a gaseous stae- when an object say a silver coin is in direct contact, there arwe several thinngs that have to be looked at. I live in a humid area(Houston), and my home has conditioned air. so for the most part the encased display is open to weather changes in the house. the coins already being sealed in plastic will offer probably a 80% protection variable from the wood itself. as for the display itself, the intent is utilizing the wood as a frame surrounding the coins as in a piece of art. which by the way most famous pieces of art are encased in a wood frame.

The display box that I have made for many items is like a shadow box- but not enclosed- wnat to show off what I have - not lock them down forever.

Thanks for the links- some of it was excellent reading- the rest - good laughs.

coinlieutenant

I have always heard that mahogany is the wood of choice for coin cabinets. I have an antique one circa 1910 that is mahogany...

I can provide pics for design reference if you need them...

tmot99

I am pretty sure Mahongany is the best. I would think cherry would be ok. Beware, MagikBilly will be here to tell you how it really is. I am waiting for my father-in-law to build me a cabinet. He may do it out of cherry or oak.

Keep in mind that coin collections from centuries ago were kept in cabinets made of wood. I would guess that many different woods were used. Yes, they toned.

kidd

I own a sawmill and of all the woods you listed, Oaks of any kind are very acidic.... the cherry would probably be fine if sealed properly, but the mahogany is the one i would use, the grain is alot denser than the others and it has a very low acid level..hope this helps. KIDD

Scavenger

For what it's worth - I purchased one of the PCGS wooden boxes a few months ago and I love it. So far so good.