I couldn't decide what forum to put this in, but I ended up here because I enjoy the Nerdery and y'all know some cool stuff.

I am currently in possession of an old coin collection from my grandfather. I would like to display the coins but keep them safe. My idea was to place them inside of a display/curio coffee table.

Problem is, I don't want an ugly looking antique coffee table. I prefer more modern looks. Does anybody have any advice or know a good way to build something like this? Is this a lost cause and I should look for another means of coin display?

Do you already have a design in mind? Do you have any woodworking experience (assuming you want to make it out of wood)? Do you have any tools, or know someone that does (table saw would be nice for this job I think)? Sounds like a fun project.

Post on the Home Improvement forum. Some very skilled woodworkers on that forum that could help.

If you want to keep with the coffee table you could check out the ikea ramvik coffee table. It has a piece of glass over it that is lifted so you can easily put coins underneath it.

My brother built one for the exact same purpose years ago. I'll look and see if I can find pictures.

I want a glass top table that I can put about 500 beer bottle caps under in some sort of design...that ramvik might be right up my alley

Nice find on the Ramvik, that may be the easiest way to go. I live in an apartment so I don't really have the materials for a project (nor the time or talent, really).

The homemade route -


Modge podge and pour on

nice! definitely going for something along those lines

friend made a coffee table for me,, but had a very rough finish to it, wasn't smooth at all,, i added an epoxy resin to it to make a mirror smooth finish. also since it isn't glass, no worries of chipping, cracking, or tempered glass exploding

the how to video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7qyKCTwiMI

before:


after:

not quite related, but had to post...

Fta love it...

I think what I might do is go the ikea route but then have Home Depot or wherever cut out some plastic for me for the top, for safety purposes. I can't use the epoxy or lacquer for the coins because I don't want to ruin them. Thanks all for the ideas.

For anybody who was interested, I looked into that ramvik table and it appears to be for sale... In Australia.

quote:

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friend made a coffee table for me,, but had a very rough finish to it, wasn't smooth at all,, i added an epoxy resin to it to make a mirror smooth finish. also since it isn't glass, no worries of chipping, cracking, or tempered glass exploding

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Where did you/your friend find the maroon tile?? I've looked all over.