Combining coin collecting with other Interests

Raptor48 · July 20, 2025 12:34PM

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.)

Creg · July 20, 2025 12:36PM

You have skills.

TomB · July 20, 2025 1:01PM

Those are fantastic!

oldabeintx · July 20, 2025 1:06PM

Beautiful work. Great trifecta.

The_Dinosaur_Man · July 20, 2025 8:26PM

That is really cool!

lermish · July 20, 2025 8:55PM

Gorgeous work!

@Pedzola Check these out.

MsMorrisine · July 20, 2025 8:56PM

the forum could keep you busy woodworking

MsMorrisine · July 20, 2025 9:07PM

@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?

Raptor48 · July 21, 2025 7:54AM

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.

LukeMarshall · July 21, 2025 7:59AM

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

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

MsMorrisine · July 21, 2025 8:01AM

hearing about the wood choices is good too

humanssuck · July 21, 2025 10:12AM

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

littlebear · July 21, 2025 10:45AM

Absolutely awesome!

Aspie_Rocco · July 21, 2025 4:35PM

Very elegant designs! Excellent work

OAKSTAR · July 21, 2025 5:09PM

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

pcgsregistrycollector · July 21, 2025 5:11PM

Beautiful!

taropatch99 · July 21, 2025 5:33PM

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.