I’m not entirely sure why, but this might just be my favorite post to write here. There’s something intriguing about discovering where people stash their treasures—especially the valuable ones. Just like how money is often a taboo topic, sharing pictures of people’s coin collections might be too!

Today, I’ll be sharing a peek into my 2-year-old coin collection, along with how I store and track these little gems. It might not be as thrilling as uncovering personal finances, but if you’re into that, check out my Net Worth Tracker over at RockstarFinance.com—another project of mine centered around money motivation.

Once you’ve had your fill, come back to finish this read…

I split my coin collection into two main groups:

The second collection isn’t full of worthless coins—some are quite nice—but they’re ones I choose not to keep with my “special” coins. That could be because I have duplicates or I’m not interested in collecting that type. This approach gives me more flexibility for trading or selling, which helps enhance my primary collection!

[Side note: I used to keep everything together, but it was mentally exhausting. Every time I wanted to admire my favorite pieces, other coins would distract me. This separation lets me enjoy my collection without any interference.]

Before sorting any new coin, it first lands on my desk under my computer monitor. Here’s why:

This allows me to appreciate them before deciding where they belong. I enjoy having them in view until I either tire of them or acquire something even more exciting. They make for a lovely distraction during my workday breaks (I work from home as an independent entrepreneur).

You can discover more about appreciating your coins here: How to Appreciate Your Coins More

Now, onto my collections…

Here’s where the real excitement begins: my favorite coins that I’ve inherited, bought, or traded for. All these coins fit neatly into one convenient box, perfect if you’re a minimalist. It’s easy to store safely, although nothing extremely valuable is in there yet—just small treasures.

I prefer my coins “raw” and not encased, as it allows me to handle and enjoy them more while fitting more in my box. I’m not entirely opposed to graded coins—getting a highly valuable one graded would be smart—but I like the tangible feel of the raw coins. I keep them protected in “airtight” cases, which accommodate most sizes. If not, I simply use a larger size.

And yes, part of me secretly hopes that one of these coins might be more valuable than expected, sparking a little miracle without a professional evaluation. Of course, the opposite is also true.

Here’s a glimpse of this collection:

I use an old cigar box that I picked up at a yard sale years ago—nothing fancy, but it works. You can do something similar based on your collection’s size. Be aware that opinions vary on storing coins in cigar boxes. Some say it’s fine, especially with airtights, but make sure to do what feels right for you.

That’s a quick look at my special collection. Maybe next time, I’ll share more if I’m feeling adventurous 😉 But I’ve got to keep some mystery to keep you coming back, right?

This is where most of the action happens! This binder holds all my coins and currency intended for trading or selling. Any coin I don’t find “worthy” of my special collection lands here.

Take a peek:

You’ll find a variety of items here: American and foreign coins, paper currency, tokens, and even old stock certificates. If it’s numismatic and not meant for the long haul, it resides here. Sometimes I change my mind and swap items between collections—it’s always evolving.

This setup isn’t the only way to organize coins, but it works wonders for now.

Here’s why:

Again, this is just one method. I’m curious about how you organize and manage your collection. Do you do it similarly, or do you have a different system? Feel free to share!

Before wrapping up, let me mention tracking. I’ll cover this more in a future post, along with a spreadsheet template I use. This organization method simplifies inventory management, which looks like this for me:

Staying timely with updates is another story, but this system works well once you get going. It’s mostly about a few keyboard strokes and some computer paper, saving time and reducing stress when locating items.

Oh, and one last thing: my foreign coins and currency. This portion is stored in a box from my grandfather and houses non-U.S. items. It shifts me away from minimalism, but I can’t resist the charm of foreign coins. This box isn’t full yet, so it’ll stick around unless I decide to part with it all.

Now you know the secrets of my collecting style!

Take this knowledge to heart and please share your own methods. I’m eager to learn more, even as a relative newcomer!

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UPDATE: I’ve uploaded the spreadsheet I use to track my coins. It’s simple but effective, giving a comprehensive view of my collection and its estimated value. Check it out if you’re interested: Coin Collecting Spreadsheet

Some notes on the sheet: