I use "Lindner" coin trays, they come in many sizes, they are clear lidded and stack on top of each other and the tray slides out like a drawer. I have about 80 of them and have used them for around 8 years without problems.
This is a mature design and it was on display at the recent NYINC show. Unfortunately, most folks were mesmerized by the beautiful wood cases which were also on display. I tried to recommend this system to ancientnoob as he is considering a cabinet (as he likes to handle his coins). I don't have many ancients and I don't really handle my coins. Therefore, I am currently satisfied with the heavy PVC-free flips from Forum. They fit in any 2x2 binder page or box. They also allow easy viewing of both sides of the coin and you can always insert a 2x2 label & other documents into the flip. Paper envelopes require that you handle the coin in order to view the coin. I am currently not a fan of the paper-envelope system.
DaveD thanks for posting, i just bought some coin trays from Lindner i can stack these in my safe and when i have a coin show, load up a tray stack them up, drop them in coin case, saves on set up time, Thanks Dave...
yeah...those trays look awful nice . it's cool you can mix and match slot sizes also. the gun safe is good a thing indeed. I don't know if I could do a SDB...I think I would get separation anxiety.
me too chrsmat71!! couldnt bear for my coins to be down the road....I think you could get away with a small safe with these trays too.
Hmm, found this steel "collection cabinet". It even mentions coins for storage. Doesnt look to have a lock though and I dunno if trays would fit. Still its an alternative. http://www.containerstore.com/shop/storage/drawers?productId=10000342&N=62561
My Lindner cases were delivered yesterday, i went with a sale item they had. bought 2 briefcase models, they will hold 8 coin trays, which you can choose several different trays. in which i can carry about 125 to 135 coins per briefcase. Now i can fill these trays before a show, open drop in my coin cases, done just like that, also there's room at the bottom for a few plastic page holders to refill your coin's while your at the show. measurements...10 x 13x 3 in.deep.. I in no way sale these. there just what works for me... These briefcases will go right in your safe... Hold 15 Ancient coins in flips x 8 trays about 120 coins and 3 vinyl pages of 20, another 60 more.. drop in coin show cases You can put some vinyl pages with coin for refilling, at the bottom of the case.
I use the blue leatherette coin case from Nomos/CNG with cut Saflips to cover the velveteen and prevent the coins from sliding around as easily. The 40 spaces are enough for my collection. I recently also had custom acrylic holders made for my coins which prevent any significant movement which I use when they're locked away/stacked on top of each other, or for displaying to let people hold the acrylic rather than touch the surfaces of the coins (but still allow them to be removed easily unlike slabs). EDIT: I also have a couple coins in AirTites just for an added layer of protection (my Akragas obol is one, due to its thin size and likelihood of blowing away if there's ever a slight breeze).
I also wrestled with how to best store my ancient coins. Having collected modern US coins for so long, I'm an album guy. Favored DANSCOs. So I decided I needed something suitably appealing for my ancient Roman Coins. I settled on a decent looking album and filled it with plastic pages that hold the 2x2 flips Each page holds 12 coins. This allows me to list the attribution info behind each coin. And each page doesn't get too crowded. I actually like this way of displaying them, because in addition to the coin itself, I fill the album with historical background on the rulers portrayed each coin, which adds some depth to the coins themselves. Here are a few shots of how I've organized it. Wait... That last one's my 3 yo daughter playing in the snow this week! Which brings me to my next point the album is easy to conceal from small kids.
Wow, this is one of the greatest threads on this website! Great information. I think I may have found what I was looking for. Leaning towards Lindner.
Just saw it on ebay, it's a cabinet that houses some coin collection sold by the Franklin Mint, 20 coin collection - one for each century, but I guess it could be modified to hold coin trays.