Are any of you woodworkers who have made coin cabinets or other wooden display cases?

SanctionII · September 24, 2007 5:35AM

If so. how did things work out? Did any of your creations get placed into use by you or other collectors? Further, did any problems arise from the wood and its oils and smells as far as toning or damaging coins?

I always have liked the idea of a finely crafted coin cabinet or case filled with great coins.

Bochiman · September 24, 2007 5:37AM

You should read an article about wood cabinets (would in general) and coins.....I think it is the latest (well, the latest I have) Coin World.
I don't have it with me so I can't say more about it but someone else may have it handy.

BBQnBLUES · September 24, 2007 5:47AM

I store most of my coins in a Beautiful Humidor (never used for cigars) Haven't noticed _any toning of the silver coins over the past 3 years..

ricko · September 24, 2007 6:05AM

I have a beautiful wooden coin chest (purchased on ebay, one of two made), and I really like it. I have seen no effects of storage manifesting on the coins. Cheers, RickO

bstat1020 · September 24, 2007 6:31AM

I have one that I have never used. There are no toning marks of any kind on the silver. All the coins that came with it were all dipped. Nice blue felt interior, outside has the seal of the United States on it.

I will have to get that out and get it on ebay, unless someone here wants it.

Brian

edited for spelling.

Barbercoin · September 24, 2007 6:43AM

RickO-

Do you have a picture of the chest? It sounds really nice.

John

MrHalfDime · September 24, 2007 6:46AM

"You should read an article about wood cabinets (wood in general) and coins .... in Coin World."

The article to which Bochiman refers is an excellent monthly column in Coin World by Susan Maltby called "Preserving Collectibles". Susan is a professional conservator with a strong background in the chemistry involved. She has written many of her columns on the subject of storing coins (and currency) in various cabinets, enclosures and other storage methods. Your concern about storing coins in any wooden enclosure is a wise one, and one should be careful about using any wood cabinet before reading her column(s). Not only can some woods emit or leach harmful fumes, but the glue, stain and sealers used can also cause problems. I would not completely discourage the use of an attractive wood coin cabinet, as they can be attractive, historic and even quite valuable, but one should completely research the proper and recommended materials first, with a professional conservator like Susan Maltby, before doing so. One should also consider the security aspects of such storage, as well.

Bochiman · September 24, 2007 7:10AM

Thanks Mr HD....that is the one I was referring to.
Still not with the CW yet but I do remember the name once you mentioned it and that was the article.

Sidenote....I, too, have a small wooden box that i put some coins in....wanted to see if anything would happen so i used cheap/inexpensive, moderns for it. In 3+ years, NOTHING has happened. Still, I would think twice before using just any, untested, wooden box and higher value coins.

Cladiator · September 24, 2007 7:21AM

I've often thought about making fomething but have never gotten around to doing it. I'm too worried about the effect of the vapors let off by the wood on the coins and the fact that I'd have to have all the coins at home. Maybe if the bank would let me put the cabinet in their vault.

Goldbully · September 24, 2007 7:49AM

Check out Richard's Cabinets and Woodworking Website.

Some nice looking coin cabinets made of African Mahogany....Model #730 accomodates PCGS slabs!!!

charley · September 24, 2007 7:55AM

Contact Solid.

tmot99 · September 24, 2007 8:30AM

My father-in-law made me a coin cabinet for my slabs and I have had no problems at all with any of them. I'll try to find my pictures of them and attached them later tonight.

ricko · September 24, 2007 9:00AM

John, I do not have pictures... I wish I had saved the ebay pictures... really nice work. Cheers, RickO

darktone · September 24, 2007 9:56AM

I have a machinests tool chest that I got from sears. I don't keep everything in it but it works fine for me.

solid · September 24, 2007 3:05PM

Not a cabinet, but we do make fine display cases that have no problems with potentially harmful fumes.

Ken

PrivateCoinCollector · September 24, 2007 3:47PM

<< <i>RickO-

Do you have a picture of the chest? It sounds really nice.

John >>

And an address perhaps?

tjkillian · September 24, 2007 6:56PM

I was thinking of just yesterday of making one of those coin cabinets. I was going to make it out of Cherry. What do I need to be concerned with if just finishing it with Antique Oil and using wood glue? I like the drawer model and I can make it for about $30.00

BBQnBLUES · September 25, 2007 12:09AM

<< <i>I was thinking of just yesterday of making one of those coin cabinets. I was going to make it out of Cherry. What do I need to be concerned with if just finishing it with Antique Oil and using wood glue? I like the drawer model and I can make it for about $30.00 >>

Use "Tung Oil" ! It will have a nice satin finish & won't out gas VOC's. Wood glue shouldn't be a problem.

MrHalfDime · September 25, 2007 1:14AM

I am certainly no expert in these matters, which is exactly why I recommended seeking the advice of professional conservators before considering using or constructing a wooden cabinet for housing coins. There has been much well intended advice given here, but some may be misleading. For instance:

"Wood glue shouldn't be a problem."

In the September 24 issue of Coin World, Susan Matlby writes about this very subject, and toward the end of her column she states:

"Adhesives not recommended include: polyvinyl acetate (PVA) emulsions (e.g. white glue and carpenters' glue) because they give off acetic acid and ammonia; and contact or rubber cement as they give off sulfur. Acetic acid, amonia and sulfur can damage your collection."

Although I agree that an attractive wood coin cabinet has great appeal, before anyone rushes into such a project, it is best to consult with a professional. The long-term potential damage to a collection might be too great a risk.

slabfab · September 25, 2007 1:25AM

OK, as someone who has been collecting certs for only a few years I have to ask, to what extent are slabbed coins susceptible to this kind of environment? I mean if I store my slabs in a temperature controlled environment away from sunlight do I need to also worry about glue outgassing and such? I thought the coins were sealed?

For example, could there be a problem storing slabs in a dresser drawer (I don't, but I bet many do)? I realize the potential danger for raw coins and "push together" type holders, but what about slabs? And please forgive my naivety, I am trying to learn.

MrHalfDime · September 25, 2007 1:41AM

It is my understanding that no slabs are completely airtight. That means that they can and will allow environmental air into the slab, and onto the coin surface. This is why some coins have been known to tone while in a slab. I do not doubt that many collectors have successfully stored slabbed coins in a variety of cabinets and enclosures without observing any visible damage to the coins over a period of time, but one should not assume that slabs are airtight. It is always a good idea to store your coins at room temperature, avoiding extremes of temperature and humidity, and to maintain a low relative humidity in their storage environment. This is best done in some sort of sealed enclosure, like a safe deposit box or safe, combined with the use of dessicant silica gel to absorb excess humidity.

mrcommem · September 25, 2007 2:45AM

I have a coin cabinet made by Peter Nichols. It has circular cut-out in the drawers to hold unslabbed coins. I put all of my circulated coins that were in old Whitman blue albums in the cabinet about 7 years ago. Have seen no problems with toning.

MORGANHUNTER2 · September 25, 2007 3:09AM

Part of my hobbies is building things- like coin cabinets.

My favorite wood- African Mahogany- verrry expensive.

methods to manufacture are intense and somewhat time consuming if you want the best- do not use tung oil- it traps compounds in the wood.

Best thing to do is read the article, talk to a cabinet maker ( hmmm) and then prepare yourself for a task like no other.

and one other thing- ALWAYS measure TWICE and cut once..

Are any of you woodworkers who have made coin cabinets or other wooden display cases?

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