Guys/Gals, If I wanted to display a few of my gold coins (lets say 24 and/or my whole colection) at a local museum/main library, can anyone give me ideas on how to best do this. They will be in a glass case (standing or table type). My coins are all slabbed. I will have descriptions and facts about each coin. Should I take photos and enlarge them to enhance the display? How do I show both sides of the actual coin? I know these are some a broad questions but just trying to put together some ideas. Does ANA provide this type information? Any other suggestion on websites to visit?
I don't think photos are necessary, but i'd make sure the lighting is good and the way you want it to be. Also, I'd want to make sure your library has really good security and would want to make sure my coins are insured.
Check over the security first as you are dealing with gold, which is a good candidate for a "smash, grab, and run". Many security cases have Lexan panes rather than glass and have sensors for vibrations from a blow to try and open. The Library should have insurance for their display, and you should write a letter explaining the value of the coins and that you expect them to be reimbursed at $xxx,xxx if stolen. After they are in the case, photograph each one, including the label on the slab, and give a copy of the file to the library for their insurance, and keep one yourself. Probably nothing will happen, but it is better to be a little hard-a**ed about security before something happens than afterwards. Jim
Desertgem makes very valid, important points. It's all about security and insurance. Most collector's insurance doesn't cover "abandonment"... what happens if you walk away from your coins when they're not in lockdown at your home safe or the bank's safe. Be sure to check the terms of YOUR insurance for leaving your coins at the library.
I think this is necessary. It's great that you want to share the history and joy of your coins with others...but at the end of the day they are an investment and must be protected. It would be a shame if something happened to them and you ended up with a loss.
Although not answering your question about how to display, I will continue on the security thing. If its not a permanent loan to the museum or you're keeping other valuable coins at your home, make sure that they don't know your address. You don't need that kind of advertising.
The OP was mostly about the artistic / display aspect. I would avoid an "overload". Novices probably can't handle too much, too soon. I think just showing the coins as a type set would appeal to coin collectors, but limited value for others. Try to make it relevant with historical tie-ins. Consider a thematic approach. Maybe show how the coins changed as minting technology changed in the 1830s. Maybe show how the discovery of California gold in 1848 changed American coinage and commerce - and our place in the world. We added the $1 gold and $20 gold in 1849, and the $3 gold a few years later. Maybe talk about the "metric goloid" thing, and the attempt to standardize world monetary systems in the late 1870s. Great time to show off your $4 Stellas ! Maybe show how US coin designs tended to standardize across denominations until the Renaissance in the early 1900s. Contrast those coins with the earlier designs. If they have vertical glass cabinets, displaying the coin upright allows it to be viewed from both sides.
With his collection he's not going to be able to do most of that 900. Most of it is world coinage, with only a few US pieces. But your idea of the vertical cabinet is good one :thumb: And Conrad, I think pics would be an excellent idea so folks could what they really look like. If you've ever been to museum to look at coins - you can't see squat ! And I'd use pages from your book for each one.
security is number one. insurance if you can get it. as for pictures, maybe as diagrams to point things out, but otherwise tie/attach a magnifying glass to the case, if the depth of the case allows for the range of magnification to see the coins better. Also if you want to see how a museum does it, go visit a local museum of history, art or whatever with vitrine case style displays to get some real world examples. There's also a new post today about the Assam state museum, look at the photos posted of their displays.
I know the importance of the security and insurance. I wouldn't even think of doing this unless both of those issues were to my satifaction. 900fine, I like the idea of a standing vertical glass case were both sides of the coin can be viewed. My collection is world gold so the theme would most definitely be historical with some geographic content. I could incorporate differences in hammered vs. milled etc. I am still not sure about the visual aids ... umm
Thanks krispy:high5: ....I need to get down to the old New Orleans mint and look at how they have some of their displays set up
For the display thing, try to look up jewlery case displays. Note the many cases that revolve and have several to many layers in glass. With one of these you could stand your slabs up with something and as they revolve, all sides of the slab should be visable if you do that correctly. Many stores use these for cameras, watches, rings, etc. Of course this all depends on how much you want to invest. Also, if you check with a jewlery store they may be able to loan you one so you wouldn't have to purchase them. Meanwhile, back to the security thing. Try remembering that when you show those you will be giving that place your personal information as to your name, address, phone number, etc. This information goes into thier computers. Although the main staff may well be the most honest people on Earth, just how many others have access to that computer system? If there is a computer problem, who fixes that? How many visitors will find out who all that stuff belongs to? Eventually you may as well place a sign in front of your house saying what you have inside. A little exagerated but such things are how home invations start.
