As a coin collector, it’s important to have a safe place to keep your coins without hiding them. If you’re up for a challenge and don’t want to buy a coin collection book, you’re probably wondering how to make your own coin collection book.
To make your coin collection book, gather materials like paper and a pencil. Trace the coin multiple times on the page, one under the other. Then, cut the paper into sections of two coins, folding each section over. Place plastic in and secure, and then put the coin in and add it to a book.
The process can be hard to understand, so I’ll discuss it in detail below. Keep reading to learn more about making your coin collection book!
1. Gather the Materials You Need
The first step of the process is gathering the materials you need. Below is a list of everything you need:
- Book with plastic sleeves
- Paper
- Pencil for tracing the coin
- Coin for tracing
- Scissors
- Flexible plastic sheets (like the plastic sleeves in the book but separate)
- Stapler or glue
2. Start Tracing the Coin
If each collector coin is the same size, you’ll only need one for tracing. However, you’ll need to trace each one individually if they’re different sizes. As you know, different coins have varying diameters, so trace accordingly.
I’ll explain the tracing process below:
- Grab the coin you want to trace and place it on the paper. Use the pencil to trace it all the way around carefully.
- Trace the same coin underneath it, leaving some space. Each pair of tracings will represent the front and back of each coin.
- Draw a line under the second coin tracing.
- Repeat the process as many times as you need, ensuring you draw a line after each set of coin tracings.
You may need multiple sheets of paper, depending on how many coins you have. Repeat the above process until you have enough tracings for all your coins.
3. Cut and Fold the Paper
Once you’ve traced the coins and drawn lines under each second tracing, it’s time to cut and fold each piece. I’ll explain this process below:
- Using scissors, make a cutting at each line you drew. Once finished, you should have cuttings with two coin tracings, one under the other.
- Fold each cutting in half. That way, you’ll have a circle on both sides of the paper.
- Make sure the circles are aligned correctly on both sides before proceeding to the next step.
Once this step is completed successfully, you’ll have created a sleeve for each coin.
4. Cut Into the Circles
After folding the paper over, it’s time to cut into the circles and around the outlines of the tracings–this is where your coin will be displayed. Make sure you pierce through both sides of the paper and cut them together to speed up the process.
It’s also vital that you cut carefully and accurately for this step because the coin needs to fit properly for it to work. Once finished, you should have a folded piece of paper with two circles cut out on each side.
5. Place a Plastic Sheet Between the Paper
Now, you’ll need to grab the flexible plastic sheets and place them between the two circles you just cut out.
If the plastic sheet is too big, feel free to cut it. However, it should be bigger than the paper with the circle cutouts to make the process easier.
Fold the plastic sheet in half, with the folded side going into the paper first. The open side of the folded plastic should be facing outward to allow you to slide the coin in later. Once everything’s in place, it’s time to secure the plastic.
6. Secure It in Place
If you’re not worried too much about the aesthetics of your coin collection book, simply use a stapler to secure the plastic sheet into place because it’s the easiest solution. You can also use glue, but it’s not as convenient and could make a mess if you’re not careful. Leave the opening clear so that you can slide the coins in.
Staple the back and sides of the paper to secure the plastic. This plastic protects your coins from damage and falling out, so it’s an important step!
7. Place the Coins Into the Paper and Secure Them in Place
Once you’ve stapled the plastic to the paper, it’s time to slide the coin into place. To do so, simply place it in the opening, ensuring the plastic covers it on both sides. Make sure it’s fully visible through the circle cutouts on both sides, and secure it in place by gluing or stapling the open end.
At this point, you should have one coin in a small coin pocket that you can then add to a book.
But before doing anything else, cut any plastic that’s still sticking out from the sides. Although it’s not entirely necessary, it will make everything look neater.
8. Place The Coins Into Your Book
Finally, it’s time to add the coin pocket you just made to the book. Grab your plastic sheet booklet and place your coins inside. If you’ve made multiple coin pockets when following this guide, place each one neatly in the book’s pockets.
Multiple coins should be able to fit in one entire pocket in the book. Once you’ve placed everything into the booklet, there’s nothing more to do, so congratulations! You’ve made your very own coin collection booklet.
An Easier Alternative: Pre-Made Coin Pockets
If the above method is a little too complex or time-consuming for you, there’s an easier alternative. However, it’s not as creative, so keep that in mind when deciding which method to choose.
One of the easiest alternatives is to buy coin pockets, like this BCW Pro 20-Pocket Book (available on Amazon). It allows you to place each coin in a slot and put the completed pocket in a book or binder.
It eliminates the need to trace coins and make cuttings, which can take a lot of time. Using this method could save you minutes or hours of work, and each coin will be organized in a way that’s easy to display.
Also, while making your coin collection book, it’s important to keep a record of the various coins you have for reference. You can check out my guide on cataloging your coin collection for help: How to Catalog a Coin Collection (The Ultimate Guide)
Benefits of Making Your Own Coin Collection Book
If you’re still thinking about making a coin collection book, you might be interested in learning more about the benefits. Below is a list of the main advantages:
- It’s a fun activity to spend time on. Depending on your coins, this activity could take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, and it’s certainly a fun way to pass the time.
- Making a coin collection book is inexpensive. All the materials required for a coin collection book are cheap, so you’ll never have to break the bank.
- DIY coin collection books are customizable. You can create a coin collection book that matches your style. For example, choose colored paper instead of plain white.
Downsides of Making Your Own Coin Collection Book
Although there are plenty of benefits to making a coin collection book, there are some drawbacks to consider. Below is a list of the main downsides of making your own coin collection book:
- It can get repetitive. If you have lots of coins, the process can become repetitive and mundane quickly.
- You need to buy all the materials. Although you likely already have some of the materials at your disposal, there are others you’ll need to buy.
- It can get tricky if many coins are different sizes. When coins are of different sizes, you need to trace them correctly and ensure you don’t forget which coin goes with which tracing.
Can You Make a Coin Collection Book for Valuable Coins?
You can make a coin collection book for valuable coins, but it’s not the best idea because the coins won’t be as protected. If you buy a high-quality coin book, it will be made to a higher standard and can protect your more valuable coins from damage.
The plastic can easily rip when making a coin collection book, or the staples and glue can come off anytime. Therefore, you need to decide whether or not you’re okay with this possibility before making one for valuable coins.
The United States Mint recommends using hard-plastic holders for valuable coins because this keeps them more protected than softer materials. It also recommends avoiding PVC, as it can cause coin damage over time, which could devalue your collection.
Where To Store Your DIY Coin Collection Book
If you’ve decided to make your own DIY coin collection book, you might wonder where to store it once it’s finished. Below are some guidelines you should follow:
- Always keep it in a dry place. Moisture can affect the plastic sheets and damage the coins.
- Keep it in a secure box. Whenever you’re not using your coin collection book, consider leaving it in a secure box and out of harm’s way.
- Avoid placing it in areas that are prone to getting messy. Examples include kitchens and art or activity rooms.
Many people keep their DIY coin collection books in a safe or drawer in their bedrooms or on a shelf somewhere in the home.
Conclusion
Making a coin collection book is a fun activity and can save you money, especially if you’re good at arts and crafts projects. It also allows you to customize it. After reading this article, you should know how to make your own authentic book!
