What type of wood and finish is safe for coin storage?

dbldie55

I have been thinking of building some sort of framed wall mount for my PCGS graded state quarters. I have a good idea of what I want, but need to know what sort of wood/finishes to use that will not adversly affect the coins. I still have 3 years before I need it, but would like to get the project going.

I know we have members who build wood products for coin display, so I wondered what materials they use.

JJM

some pictures of cases / displays that people have would be

PerryHall

Most woods are not safe with coins unless the wood is well sealed and well ventilated. There was a past thread where this issue was discussed in great detail including which woods are least dangerous and most dangerous. Do a search.

tmot99

There are a few that have said that wood is not ideal for storing coins. However, many coins that we see toned were stored in coin cabinets for many many years. I keep a slabbed set in a custom made oak cabinet. Oak is probably one of the worst of the woods as it does offgas more than others, but because the coins are slabbed, they are not exposed to as much offgas as if they were raw coins. The better woods would be walnut, mahogeny, maybe cherry...

I also have an oak wall display for my World's Columbian Expo elongateds that I use a 2X2 holder in to keep the coins separate.

dbldie55

This would be a wall mount, and I would probably figure some way to build some vent holes in the back. What about finishes?

MrHalfDime

Whenever I have a question like this, I turn to the experts. One such expert writes a monthly column in Coin World. Her name is Susan Maltby, and she is a Canadian conservation consultant specializing in numismatic preservation. I have always read her column with great interest, as they always contain information that all collectors can use. I recall that she wrote a column or two in the past few years on this very subject, rating the various woods and finishes that might be considered in the construction of a 'coin cabinet'. Perhaps you could contact Coin World for copies of the old columns, or even direct a specific question to Ms. Maltby through the Coin World editor.

Opus

I use my humidor since my wife won't let me smoke cigars.

michael

: What type of wood and finish is safe for coin storage?


none and a bad idea to boot

solid

While I can't recommend that anyone store their coins inside a wooden enclosure due
to the outgassing of potentially harmful chemical vapors, it is true that that many collectors
have in the past, and continue today, to store their coins in wooden cabinets. Over the
years/decades, this has undoubtedly contributed to some spectacular toning as well as some
disastrous results.

The traditional wood of choice for coin cabinets was/is Mahogany, but there are multiple
varieties, and even the same variety growing in different regions could have different
properties. I would think the long-term effect of storing any coins inside of a wooden
box would be a crap shoot at best.

I believe that our design is immune to any such problems due to:

a) the coins being slabbed (which should provide 99%+ protection),

b) the slabs are not in direct contact with the wooden frame, but instead are surrounded
by plastic and then metal, and

c) the showcase itself is an open-air design, allowing any potentially harmful outgassing
of the wood to be harmlessly dissipated into the atmosphere.

We use Walnut, Cherry, Mahogany, Red Oak and Maple woods with a natural oil finish. I
don't know enough about other finishes such as polyurethane, etc. to comment on these.

Just FYI - I'm always willing to discuss these sorts of projects with people. We've created
custom showcases for specific needs (including raw coins) as well as providing parts that
can make the job easier and the finished result nicer for those that enjoy doing their own
woodworking.

Ken

MORGANHUNTER2

Ken is right- a majority of woods are not good to 'store' coins in as far as cabinets go- due to the outgassing, but
as for a display on a wall- cherry or african mahogany is very suitable- and expensive.

I have made for my collections a open backed box style out of Canadain cherry with 10 coats of clear verathane coating, the wood was kiln dried to reduce the moisture content before cutting and after the final the finish cuts, then product was coated- it took me awhile to do this, but the end result is a beautiful looking piece of 'furniture'. I say this because of the long painstaking hours to get the results I wanted.

I do not place raw or 2x2 style coins in this one- they are strictly for the PCGS slabs, I'm in the process of building 5 more to hold some of my NGC slabs and one for my Anacs slabs- because they are smaller than the previous.

I've seen Ken's product line and the woods he uses- his product will not hurt the slabs based on the way he has them holdered- I like it Ken, but the cost is a little high, and I know why.

A word of caution though- don't use common oak or pine unless you have had it treated/dried/treated and dried again- pine is by far the worst to use for this type of thing- sap always.

If you stain wood- be sure to remove as much of the residue as possible- when you think it is all wiped off- wait 24 hours and wipe it again, it has a tendency to leech out.

If you plan on covering the stained look for that 'glossy' appearance- use a verathane clear gloss, urethane style requires a lot of time and a lot of coatings to make it stand out. I applied many coatings because of the deep look I wanted to get from it, and cleans up good. Also easier to maintain for appearance.

When my picture taking/posting skills get better I will post them here on the boards for the ohhs and ahhs or the straight out I hate that look replies.

If your good with wood, you can make any piece look outstanding- it just takes time and patience.

carl

You didn't say if that was for display purposes or just storage. If for storage why not just build or buy a case made of plastic. Steel cabinets are available such as the ones for guns with locks. That's what I use. If for small amounts just use a safe. However, if in an area where looks are important, then as already noted here there are several suggestions.