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How to Make a Display Case for Coins

Collecting coins can be more fun if you have a display case to put your treasures in. A display case would make it easier for you to organize your collection, and also for you to show your collection to your friends. Display cases will also help to protect your coins, making them less likely to get dirty or scratched and preserving their mint condition. You can buy your display case, or you can make your own at home.

Things You'll Need

2 sheets 10-inch by 8-inch plywood, 1/8-inch thick
2 sheets 10 1/4-inch by 1-inch plywood, 1/8-inch thick
2 sheets 8-inch by 1-inch plywood, 1/8-inch thick
10 1/4-inch by 8 1/4-inch sheet acrylic
2 small hinges
10-inch by 8-inch piece velvet
Cutting board
Exacto knife
Glue
Reciprocating saw
Pencil
Paint

Instructions

- 1
  Place one 10-inch by 8-inch sheet of plywood on a cutting board. Place coins on the plywood in the spots where you want them to rest if the plywood were the back of your display case. Once you have arranged your coins in a pleasing manner, trace around the coins with a pencil. Put your coins aside.
- 2
  Cut out the circles you just traced with your reciprocating saw. Work slowly and carefully so that you don't make mistakes or get rough edges.
- 3
  Paint all of the plywood pieces the color you want your display case to be. Allow the paint to dry completely, as directed on the package.
- 4
  Glue the piece of velvet to one side of the plywood you just cut holes into. Allow the glue to dry completely. When the glue is dry, flip the plywood over and place it upon your cutting board. You should now be able to see the back of the velvet through the holes in the plywood. Use the Exacto knife and gently cut the velvet out of the holes.
- 5
  Glue the plywood with the velvet to the other 10-inch by 8-inch plywood, with the velvet facing upwards. Place the two long, thin plywood sheets on their edges at the top and bottom edges of the piece you just glued, and glue them in place. Place the two shorter pieces on their edges at the open sides of the box. They should fit between the edges of the top and bottom pieces you just glued in. Glue in the side pieces and allow all the glue to dry.
- 6
  Glue one side of each hinge onto the inside of the top edge of the box, so that you can rotate the other side of the hinge over the edge of the box. Place the acrylic sheet over the box. Glue the other halves of the hinges to the underside of the acrylic, being careful not to get any glue into the rotating parts. Allow the glue to dry.
- 7
  Set your coins into the holes you drilled for them. Your display case is now complete.

Coin Collecting