How do you store/display your collection?

As mine grows I have been trying to figure out what would be the best way to store and/or display my coins. I used to just staple them in cardboard folders, but that doesn't work super well for large, thick, or irregular ancient coins. Plus I couldn't hold and handle them.
Right now I have been using a Digi-Key components folder:



It works the best of everything else I've tried, keeps things nice and organized, and the coins are easily accessible. It's also portable. I cut a bunch of small papers that fit within each compartment, and labeled each one with the coin's information. I've organized things more or less chronologically.



It works well but I wouldn't mind having more of a display as well, more easily viewed. But for now, this is the best method I've tried yet.

How do you display/store your ancient coins? Do you prefer a more visually-based arrangement, or a purely numismatic one? Let's hear it!

 

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Notebook binder with 2x2 flip pages.

 

lighthouse trays--




View attachment 1446123

 

I recently got mine in album. Much easier to view than flipping through coin holders!

 

Abafil cases. You might want to ensure you are using acid free paper in your existing trays, too!

 

I'm a big fan of Abafil trays and Zecchi also make nice trays and cabinets.

A couple of Abafil trays with sestertii:


The Marmotta cabinet which holds 20 Abafil trays - this will hold up to 1540 coins (denarius size - 77 per tray):


I have a Peter Nichols (coincabinets.com) 28-tray cabinet - it's OK for thin coins, not for very thick ones like sestertii and I've moved a lot of coins out:


I have a small Swann cabinet with three trays which holds some denarii - this is one tray:


I don't have anything by Zecchi, but the likes of this looks very nice:
https://www.albertozecchi.com/listing/766255178/art-cam10-wooden-coin-box-for-ancient

ATB,
Aidan.

 

I like your 'folder' but was unable to find them online. Can you supply a link?

I preferred trays as shown by Victor until my collection got too big so I switched to 2x2 paper envelopes stored in 9" red boxes. Sometimes these allow coins to slide under each other so I subdivide mine with cardboard separators into three parts.

 

I have one and it is very nice quality.

 

I have pics on my computer. The collection resides in one of four bank
safety deposit boxes. ASE's and less valuable coins ,<$150, reside at the house. With the trays, only one accident will get those put away.
Trying finding a dropped coin under the bed, dresser or fridge might
change your mind. Or the dropped and can't find Otho denarius might
change your mind. I know everyone likes to handle their coins, so do
thieves.

 

I have mine in 2X2's in a 3-ring binder. They are numbered to be associated with a description page that has a reference photo of what the coin should look like. And a photo of my coin, as is.

 

Ring Binder Notebooks and 2"X2" Flips!



I have started using endcap album pages for the few slabbed coins I've got.

 

Heck, I haven't even figured out a good way to organize and store the parts I ordered from Digi-Key!

 

Hmm that is a thought. I'm not sure. It's an antique-themed paper I had bought off Amazon for another purpose, they don't say whether or not it's acid free. What happens if it isn't?

 

Wow quite a penny collection! Very nice 1955 DDO you have there, that must be a prize!

I started taking photos too and hopefully I can have all my coin information stored on a computer database soon. I'd like to get a better camera lens though, and a nicer lighting setup. Right now I am making do mostly with my phone.

 

I like those cabinet-type cases with divided trays. Although, currently my collection would maybe fill one-half of one tray.

 

Sure. I ordered it directly from Digikey:
KIT BOX NO. 3 Digi-Key Electronics | Boxes, Enclosures, Racks | DigiKey

They make other styles with different sizes/numbers of compartments. but I found this one to offer the most spaces. It works well for coins up to about 28-29mm. I had to cut out a divider to fit my sole sestertius.

 

@The Meat man
You wrote "Wow quite a penny collection! Very nice 1955 DDO you have there, that must be a prize!"

Thank you for the compliment!
Yes, that 55 DDO is a real prize for me, it was childhood bucket list coin, much like the 09SVDB.
I've gotten both coins in pretty recent times, say the last year maybe year and a half.
I found the 55DDO listed on "Angel Dee's" for $2,000 which was (is) a lot of money for me to drop on a Penny for sure, but the 55DDO is legendary.
Here is the images of the coin when it was up for sale.



The first Red I ever saw was the 1965 edition, the 55DDO was listed in that book I was 8 years old, my Dad, both my older brothers talked about the 55DDO, and how great it would be to find one in change. At 8 years old, I could tell by the way they talked about this coin it had to be SPECIAL!
Get this, that Red, I still have it, and its got my Dad's signature on the inside cover! I remember looking through that book in amazement of coins like a 3-Cent Piece!! A Half Dime!!!! a 2-Cent piece!!! coins I had NEVER seen.





Recently I set out to find what edition of the Red Book did the information for the 55DDO first come out in, after a couple of hit & misses I found it, 1960 13th edition, I bought it!

50 Bucks (UNC) back then, there wasn't enough pop bottles on the planet at that time to cash in and buy that coin.
Here is the 55DDO first Red Book appearance!

 

That is a beautiful coin case. How much are they and where can you find them.

 

Those are some rather lovely coins, especially the ones in the open trays.

I use flips. I briefly went with trays, but the coins just move around too much and when one (not expensive, thank goodness) coin popped out, fell on the floor and chipped, that was it for me. I only use the trays for my most decrepit coins now.

And after a bronze disease breakout some years ago, I also touch the coins as little as possible. Never without gloves, and I also try to have bone dry hands when I have to handle them.

 

I use lighthouse trays for most of my ancient coins. I like to not add tags underneath the coins but rather have a little binder next to the tray where I can have a page per coin and add a lot more information about them. It’s also quite nice to look through the pages sometimes. And it’s really great as well that the trays can stack. I don’t really have much of an order for my coins, and I change them regularly so I can appreciate some more.

Best wishes, AncientNumis.