Jump to content
CoinPeople.com

Storing coins


corkykile

Recommended Posts

Here's the description of the auction:

 

Circa 1820 Collector's Specimen Cabinet. A fine English Regency veneered cabinet of elegant classical tripartite form, the upper section surmounted by a sweeping pediment with a secret compartment, above two doors with intricately designed stinging and bands inlaid against a burl walnut veneer, opening to an expertly crafted and fitted interior with 18 bowed and inlaid trays, the doors with inlaid geometric bands; all above a cornice and larger conforming mid-section with 26 trays, over a squat open storage space, all supported on bun feet; all sections with individual locks and keys.

 

Dimensions: 60-1/2 x 19-1/4 x 16-1/4 inches.

 

Condition: minor cracks in the lower left door, a long 17-3/4 inch crack in the right middle door, and with a loss to the trim around the top.

 

Commentary: Similar cabinets are historical reminders of early American and European collecting activities, predating coin boards, coin albums, or the certified coin holders of today. All coin collectors of stature had their own cabinet to house their collection, and these were popular until at least the late 1920s. Page 71 of Q. David Bowers' The History of United States Coinage As Illustrated by the Garrett Collection shows a photo of John Work Garrett seated in front of his magnificent cabinet, examining an item from his collection. A single cabinet tray is extended, showing the fittings that are an integral part of these pieces.

 

Coin cabinets spawned a special numismatic term that is seldom heard today. The Coin World Almanac defines "Cabinet Friction" as "Slight surface wear on a coin, token, or medal caused by friction between it and the tray or envelope in which it is contained."

 

Over a number of years during the late 19th century and early 20th century, advertisements in The Numismatist and other publications offered various size cabinets for sale. In one instance, Farran Zerbe offered a coin cabinet in the form of a metal safe fitted with trays. A small, portable cabinet was offered by H. Gerstner & Sons of Dayton, Ohio: "A cabinet adaptable to your needs. A necessity for the man desiring orderly arrangement of his coins." The firm's advertisement, from an unknown source, was reprinted in The History of United States Coinage.

 

While this particular cabinet is not offered as a coin cabinet, it is important to consider that it would actually serve a variety of small collectibles, including items such as autographs, manuscripts, sports cards, antique jewelry, or nearly any other similar small item. As suggested in the accompanying photos, this cabinet is also perfectly suited to house today's modern coin certification holders.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...