To do this activity you will need:
- 2x2 Coin Pocket Pages, Dansco Coin Stock Book, or Coin Wallet
- A laser printer with a bypass feeder
- A sheet of perforated 2x2 flip inserts
- Microsoft Word
- Template File (click here to open the template)
- Kointain holders or Cardboard 2x2s
- Cotton Gloves
Estimated costs for the project can range from $20 to $70
Step 1. - Planning Your Album Layout
Planning is important in anything you do and the old adage of "measure twice, cut once" is a valuable piece of advice that applies to creating your album.
- Define a layout for your coins, by year, denomination, mint mark, country, or whatever theme you choose. Additionally is color important for the album or inserts?
- Choose an album. Here you have a few choices; binder & pocket pages, a bookshelf album & slipcase from Dansco (album#7000) or Littleton (album#LCA54), or a mini-album/wallet.
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- Determine how you'd like to have your coins viewed. Is seeing both sides of every coin important? The need for this question is due to the inserts you will be using. The inserts are designed to fit a 2x2 pocket, so if use only one pocket then the insert will block the view of one side of the coin but there are alternatives.
(Note: you cannot use 2x2 cardboard holders for this activity, if you wish to use cardboard holders please refer to Alternative 2)
Alternative 1. - If you are creating a custom album for a single coin series then you might use one pocket to just display a reverse or obverse design (a technique commonly used in cardboard folders).
Alternative 2. - Utilize two pockets for one coin, with the label insert on the top or side pocket and the coin in the pocket directly below or to the side (see photo example). The advantage to this is that you can display additional information (such as mintage or history) about the coin as the the entire label will be visible. Another advantage is that you can use traditional cardboard holders (staple or self sealing) as they will not hide your insert labels and they are relatively inexpensive. The disadvantage to this is that you will only be able to utilize 1/2 of the pockets per page (a 20 pocket page will only display 10 coins).
In my personal albums, I'm willing not to display both sides of a coin as I use kointain capsule holders which allow for removal and viewing without damaging the coin.
Step 2. - Creating Insert Labels
For this activity please refer to the following link Making Inserts with a laser printer. Please note that within the directions are instructions for changing the direction of the text. Do not do this as the template was initially formated for the benefit of album makers.
Step 3. - Adding Inserts To Your Album
Alright, here's the easy part. Take your newly printed inserts, tear at the perforations, and insert into your favorite choice of Album. My choice happens to be a Dansco Coin Stock Album since it comes with a slipcase but there is nothing wrong using a binder or coin wallet!
Step 4. - Placing Your Coins into Holders & Album
Remembering to use cotton gloves to avoid damaging your coins, insert your coins into either a kointains shell or cardboard holders.
To complete your album, simply slide each coin into their designated pocket. Now, all that is left is to sit back and enjoy your handwork or show off to your friends & family!
Well, that's it! I hope you found this useful and good luck with your coin collecting!
