Expert tips and ideas
Collecting coins and stamps is a rewarding hobby, and displaying them well adds to the pleasure. A frame can protect part of a collection and make it a feature of a room, provided nothing in it does any harm.
The rule for both coins and stamps is that nothing sticky should ever touch them. Coins sit in capsules or in recesses cut to fit. Stamps go into clear stamp mounts, which are then fixed to the board. Done that way, the display is elegant and everything in it can be taken out again unharmed.
The essentials
Materials and layout
- Archival materials. Use acid-free mount board and paper, so that nothing discolours the collection.
- UV-protective glazing. Light fades stamps and tones coins. UV-filtering glazing slows it down.
- Coin capsules. Clear, hard, airtight capsules hold a coin snugly, protect it from fingers and air, and let both sides be seen. Avoid soft plastic holders containing PVC, which damages coins over time.
- Stamp mounts. Clear sleeves with a gummed back. The stamp slips inside, and only the mount is stuck down.
Plan the layout to bring out what is special about each item. A mount colour that complements the coins or stamps helps, and a theme, such as vintage travel stamps or the coins of one reign, turns the display into a story. A box frame adds depth, which coins in capsules need.
Preservation
Coins and stamps must be protected from moisture, the oils on skin and direct sunlight. Dust the frame regularly, and look at the display from time to time to check that nothing has slipped or changed.
Any item on permanent display will be exposed to some light. If a stamp or coin is rare or valuable, keep the original in an album or a capsule in the dark, and frame a good photograph or a duplicate.
Organisation
Label items clearly, with the country, date and denomination, so that they can be identified at a glance. Keep the rest of the collection in albums and folders, in one place, where you can get at it. Coin folders and stamp stock books let you handle and look at items without exposing them for long.
Framing and display ideas
Box frames and display cases
A box frame is deep enough to hold coins and stamps without pressing them against the glazing.
- Coins. Seat each capsule in a hole cut in the mount board to fit it, so that it is held without adhesive. A double-glazed frame, with glass at the back as well, shows both faces.
- Stamps. Put each stamp in a stamp mount and fix the mount to the backing board.
- Arrangement. Set coins in rows or themed groups, with each one easy to see.
Wall art
- A series. Several matching frames, hung in a row or a grid, show a set or a sequence.
- Coloured mounts. A mount in a colour taken from the stamps makes them stand out.
- Stamps with their story. A stamp framed with an old envelope, a postcard or a map of where it came from becomes a picture in itself.
Arranging by theme
Grouping
Grouping by theme gives a display coherence. Common themes are animals, plants, sport and countries.
| Theme | Examples |
|---|---|
| Animals | Coins showing birds, stamps with fish |
| Plants | Flower stamps, coins with trees |
| Sport | Olympic coins, stamps for sporting events |
| Countries | Stamps from France, coins from the UK |
A themed display is more engaging, and people learn something as they look.
Fitting in with the room
Consider the colours of the room. In a room of earthy tones, a natural wood frame with a green or brown mount will blend in well. A framed collection on a wall or a shelf adds character without clashing.
Care and protection
The environment
Temperature, humidity and light all do damage. Keep collections somewhere cool and dry, at a steady 18 to 20°C if you can. Damp corrodes coins and spots stamps with mould. Do not hang a framed collection on a cold outside wall, in a bathroom or kitchen, or opposite a sunny window.
Handling
- Coins. Hold them by the edge. Never clean a coin with anything abrasive, or with polish. Cleaning destroys the surface and the value. If in doubt, ask a coin dealer.
- Stamps. Use stamp tongs, not fingers, because skin oils mark the paper and affect the gum. Watch for discolouration or mildew and act on it at once.
- Both. Do not overcrowd albums and boxes, and use acid-free materials throughout.
EasyFrame offers a wide range of made-to-measure frames, including box frames, and with long experience we can advise on the right frame for your collection. Call us on 01234 856 501 or email sales@easyframe.co.uk. We are always happy to talk, whether or not you want to buy.