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My coin cabinet
Taikonaut
Posts: 165
In the UK all premier collections are housed in the finest mahogany coin cabinets, I bought mine 14 years ago because I was really curious about the workmanship and nostalgia of owning one. I recently lost the key so I contacted the carpenter Mr Nichols to get a replacement and was informed by this elderly gentleman that there are probably only two remaining coin cabinet makers in the UK that still uses the traditional method, one is himself and another who is probably retired. His cabinets are widely used to house collections in museums so please take a look at my humble collection as I believe this is how coins are kept amongst collectors in Europe and has been done for centuries.
http://www.pbase.com/shinsakuto/coins
http://www.pbase.com/shinsakuto/coins
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"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
Nice collection, and a terrific cabinet
My OmniCoin Collection
My BankNoteBank Collection
Tom, formerly in Albuquerque, NM.
<< <i>Ahhhhhhhh...keepin' cabinet friction alive and well into the 21st century
Its not really designed for mobile purposes plus the felt lining is thick and soft unlike some other felts which is hard and stubble and when handling coins with care cabinet friction is not really an issue here. This also brings up an important advantage of displaying coins in cabinets over slabs because you get to see the edges, any reputable coin dealers and collectors always insist on seeing the condition of the coin including the edges but this would not be the case with slabbed coins, in fact there are several gold coins there that have letterings on the edges which is an important attributes to the coin itself.
and these cabinets would have absolutely no problems selling in the usa
many would buy them and start to collect coins and they would be perfect for raw circ coins
the workmanship is fantastic and i have never seen as such a cabinet except in photos in the american numismatical manual written by dickenson in the pre civil war times in the usa he had one illustrated in his books offering them for sale and it is almost exactly like to the letter your new cabinet
wild !!! i love it if someone could mass produce a cheaper model with the same look they would sell like hotcakes in the usa
to have a one of a kind hand built one that is from a master and it really is a lost art and when he is the only one left doing it and will be retiring soon
this cabinet with the provanance if ever sold herein the usa would go for huge $$$$$$
one of the better threads i have seen on these boards in a long time
and the superb patina that imparts on the coins and you can see the edge with the lettered coinage
I would love to own one. But alas, my faith in my fellow man is nill. I have a beautiful, all steel, safe deposit box inside a vault at my bank.
But I do have pictures of my coins at home.
Maybe you could provide contact information for hose of us who would be interested is buying a nice cabinet. I assume they would ship to the US??
I finally know what a coin cabinet looks like.
Hi All, thought I would post this here as I feel it is important.
<< <i>CoinAddict - "Peter's (Nichols) response to my question was " The short and easy answer is nothing. I am in the
very fortunate position of having my work tested an examined by the
conservation departments of the leading museums in Europe. They all came
to conclusion that the natural mahogany must be completely untreated to
ensure no interaction with any coins placed in contact with them. In truth
I have renovated many early cabinets from three centuries and some have used
varnish of unknown types on the trays, but then conservation was not a great
issue in Victorian times. My advice, process and sand the tray but
leave them untreated."
In my reply thanking him I invited him to come and check out the forums..
Hi,
from the Art Conservation Center at the University of Denver's Judy Greenfield, Conservator of Objects - "Building a Better Case"
"True African mahogany (these cabinets are apparently not) is reported to be one of the least corrosive woods, but it's expensive and difficult to procure, and other mahoganies sold as substitutes are corrosive" (Hatchfield). Additionally, mahogany is resistant to termite attack. There is disagreement over the benefits of seasoned wood. Kiln-drying (seasoning) wood helps break down and drive off some inherent acids, though it may depress the wood's RH-buffering ability (Miles). But Werner cites the Department of Industry's statement that "[seasoning] wood...accelerates the production of free acetic acid and formic acid. Most of the acid, however, remains in the wood."
So, even if you are lucky and your cabinet is actually made out of true African Mahogany it is still only a lesser evil. While Mahogany is much more stable than red oak, particularly dimensionally which I imagine would play a role in cabinet making, none of this this alters the fact that wood is factually not the best choice of material in which to store coins. I continue to quote from Art Conservation Center at the University of Denver, and this information is specifically in regard to display/storage cases - not so terribly removed from coin storage. And remember, display cases in museums are often temporary and yet these matters are considered. Many of the displayed items cited in the article were metal
"Although some woods are worse than others, all emit a variety of acids, aldehydes and other lignocellulosic degradation products." (Miles). Wood emits mostly acetic acid; formic acid is produced at 1/10th the amount of acetic acid(Blackshaw). Moisture hydrolyzes acetyl groups in the hemicellulose (a form of cellulose, the "building block" of wood) to produce acetic acid. Elevated temperatures appear to foster acetic acid production (Werner)." I don't know what to make of the claims about sanded mahogany - it is also agreed among conservators that all woods must have a barrier between the wood and the display case interior. "No wood can ever be completely sealed to stop emission of organic compounds, though sealants can impede emission." At least one case I saw made by Mr. Nichols appears to have the coins "exposed" to the inside finish, which IMHO should not be inside the case at all. You don't need physical contact for outgassing problems, and we know PCGS slabs are not "sealed" and plastic is gas permeable anyway. Also, I don't have any idea what adhesives, what finish (oil /Varathane?) or what fabric (true felt is terrible). To me, once closed, the environment in a wood box is concentrated - and the wood just sits there outgassing with the adhesives and finish, waiting to absorb large qualtities of water...now if the box is in a safe.....it is even worse.
Someone mentioned Varathane - "Even after 18 months' drying time, oleoresinous (oil) paints corroded lead in an experiment cited by Miles. As oil products dry, they undergo oxidative degradation which yields volatile organic acids, aldehydes and carbon dioxide (Miles). Oleo-resinous products include oil-modified paints and varnishes, one-component polyurethane varnishes (e.g., Varathane), alkyd paints, epoxy ester paints, aluminum paints, silicone paints and most varnishes (Miles)."
The information just goes on and on...and on - ESPECIALLY about the harmful glues and adhesives that might be used in construction (perhaps more important than the wood and as important as the finish), the fabrics - fabric should not be used where humidity is not controlled (someone mentioned a tarnish retardant cloth - these can be bad - as can certain dyed felts etc.!)...all can be injurious, and usually are unless care is taken. All I am saying is that wood in not an ideal choice, or even second choice for long term coin storage. Yes, this data is about storage/display cases in museums, but most of the problems above seem are mainly influenced by humidity and temperature - variables found in every deposit box and safe. And those are concentrated environments, more than the cases in the above discussion.
Best,
Billy
PS - Despite recent posts to the contrary, oak is indeed the most acidic of woods and does in fact outgas. "The most acidic hardwoods include oak, beech, birch and ash. Oak is the most acidic. With a pH of 3.7 to 4.9, depending on the source (Miles, Stamm), it is capable of liberating up to five percent of its weight in acetic acid (Erhardt)." Brazillian Mahogany, as apparently used by Mr. Nichols, is apparently properly called Honduras Mahogany and IS NOT true African Mahogany and does not share the same "stability" as the African source above - "other mahoganies sold as substitutes are corrosive" (Hatchfield)". I have no idea what wood Mr. Nichols uses other than what he states on his website. As stated above about Mahogany though, regardless of seasoning or kiln drying "most of the acid, however, remains in the wood." I have no issue with Mr. Nichols fine and attractive cases, this is not an attack on his cases nor do I wish to engage in any further discussions about his work as I do not even know him.
<< <i>Ahhhhhhhh...keepin' cabinet friction alive and well into the 21st century
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
I'm just giving you a hard time, its a very nice cabinet. If it could hold all my slabs I might want one too.
<< <i>Well, unlike some of the touchy feely Europeans, where there appears to be an obsession with all that history and stuff, here in the good old U.S. of A. we prefer only the finest plastic! And lots of it!
I'm just giving you a hard time, its a very nice cabinet. If it could hold all my slabs I might want one too.
You can request custom made ones to hold your slab, I believe Peter Nichol also makes cabinets to hold fossils.
Slider,new term for a nice AU coin (AKA,nice unc,only wear is from cabinet friction)
Yeah right !,how many times would ya have to open and close them drawers to create "Cabinet Friction" ?
Proof
Another thing I noticed about slabbed coins is how tight the coin is pressed against the circular holder and would it damage or add wear on the coin itself especially if it is made from soft metal such as gold? I would be very hesitant in having very thin gold and silver pieces forced tight into those insert without bending the coin.
http://home.btconnect.com/winstanleybox/index1.htm
These looks like its been veneered with exotic wood on the outer cases, not sure if the veneering is done by the man himself or by another company but I believe the veneering would only be successful on certain range with a plain flat surface like those featured but will not work on my cabinet.
Its been a while since I last posted and have to sign up again because I have forgotten my password.
Since I last posted Peter Nichol has retired in at the end of 2010 due to ill health which forced him to give up manual labour. Peter sold his business to a close friend which continue to produce his range of cabinets using his name because of the high reputation. I've noticed in recent years Nichols cabinets has recieved many orders from USA which normally favours coins being slabbed (although they do make cabinets that houses slabs), so I'm not sure how much my posts back in 2005 has contributed to the interest in Nichols cabinets in the States
On the subject of mahogany I cannot claim any expertise on that but my feeling is Peter did use to get his mahagony from Brazil which was once the biggest exporter in the world until it was banned in 2001, however the poster above is correct that "Honduran mahogany" is probably the correct term for all South American mahogany including those from Brazil. I notice the wood on Nichols cabinets from around the mid 2000s onward has taken on a different appearance but I cannot say what has happened. If I were to theorise I would say his source of mahogany has changed.
When I click on the links I get either a "not authorized" statement or scantily clad women wanting to give me access! What's going on?
Joe.
The thread was dead for a dozen years before it was brought back to the top with a single post. The links are long gone. Check the dates on the posts.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Thanks. I thought I was hacked!
Joe.
I don't know, but the choice is clear.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
12 year old thread
Doesn't age like whisky.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars
These look like very nice cabinets!
Here's the website for Peter Nichols Mahogany Coin Cabinets:
Here's the photo and description of "The Coronet":
Awesome
I clicked on this thread thinking it was probably 40 years old.
Imagine my surprise when I saw it was ONLY 12 years old !
Peter NIchols cabinets has changed in design over the years. I recently picked this on up from a UK auction. Judging by the design it looks like from early 1980s
nice cabinets and an interesting thread. it seems to highlight the differences in not only collecting philosophy but society between the UK/Europe and the USA. most US collectors can appreciate the aesthetic appeal of the cabinets but are wise enough to know that they are probably not the way to house a collection.
Hi Keets, if you ask European collectors they will most likely disagree with you.
I also collect proof coins in capsule and would not put them in cabinet but having said that I have many of these including a recently slabbed proof from NGC that develop unattractive toning. I think gas was absorbed and trapped inside causing staining. On more than one occassions I have to "rescue" these capsuled proofs by taking it out and soak in alcohol.
FYI I have a proof gold Panda coin (I'm Taikonaut from above but I have to sign up again) I broke out of the seal because it was discolouring, removed the discolour and stored in my Nichols cabinet for about 17yrs and I kid you not it is still blemish free. None of my coins have toned in that cabinet. However many cabinets will tone your coins. Nichols cabinets are approved by many museums including the Fitzwilliams, they are not trying to be just a fancy piece of furniture, its function is primarily utilitarian to preserve coins in a professional sense.
I have a small Nichols cabinet I purchased many years ago. Nice workmanship and I have stored raw coins in it for years with no effects. Cheers, RickO
I have one of the Peter Nichols cabinets for about 20 years for my raw Lincolns, Nichols and other childhood collections. No ill effects
Overland Trail Collection Showcase
Dahlonega Type Set-2008 PCGS Best Exhibited Set