The Best Coin Display Cases for Australian Decimal Collectors
What to look for, what to avoid, and why the right case makes a permanent difference to the collection inside it.
A collection is a record of patience, of pursuit, and of personal history. The case that holds it should be worthy of what it contains.
What Makes a Coin Display Case Suitable for Australian Decimal Coins
Australian decimal coins span denominations from 5 cents to $2, each with distinct dimensions that require precision-fitted storage. The Australian 5-cent coin measures 19.41mm in diameter; the 10-cent coin 23.6mm; the 20-cent coin 28.52mm; the 50-cent coin 31.51mm; the $1 coin 25mm; and the $2 coin 20.5mm. A display case that does not precisely match these dimensions — or that uses a one-size-fits-all recess — will allow movement that causes micro-scratching on coin surfaces over time.
The Australian decimal series presents a specific storage challenge because the denominations vary significantly in size. A collector assembling a complete decimal run requires either denomination-specific cases or a configurable archive structure capable of accommodating multiple insert formats simultaneously.
Beyond dimensions, the materials used in coin storage directly affect long-term preservation. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), commonly used in inexpensive coin holders and foam linings, off-gases chlorine compounds that react with copper and silver alloys, causing irreversible toning and surface deterioration. Archival-grade, inert foam — free from PVC and reactive compounds — is the correct material for long-term coin preservation.
The Three Problems with Standard Coin Cases
Imprecise recesses cause coin movement
Standard mass-produced cases use approximate sizing. When coins shift inside recesses — even fractionally — edge-to-foam contact creates micro-abrasions that permanently reduce numismatic grade. For proof coins and uncirculated specimens, this is irreversible damage.
Reactive materials cause chemical damage
PVC-based foam and lining materials release chlorine compounds over time. These compounds react with the copper in Australian decimal coins — all of which contain copper — and with the silver in pre-decimal coinage, producing toning and surface damage that cannot be reversed.
Low-quality hardware corrodes and fails
Plated brass hinges and latches — common in inexpensive cases — corrode within years of regular use. A case with seized or failed hardware cannot be opened properly, making it a liability rather than an asset for the collection it was meant to protect.
The Criteria That Distinguish Archival Cases from Decorative Storage
When evaluating coin display cases for the Australian decimal series, the following five qualities separate a case built for genuine preservation from one built for appearance alone.
Denomination-specific foam recesses
Each recess should be cut to the exact diameter of the denomination it holds — not to an approximate size. For Australian $1 coins, this means a recess of exactly 25mm. For $2 coins, 20.5mm. Precision-cut recesses hold coins securely without allowing movement.
Archival-grade, inert foam lining
The foam used in coin recesses should be free from PVC and other reactive compounds. Archival foam is chemically inert — it will not off-gas or react with coin surfaces over decades of storage.
Solid brass hardware
Locks and hinges should be solid brass, not brass-plated zinc or other base metals. Solid brass resists corrosion and maintains mechanical function over the long term.
Hardwood construction
Timber cases from the Mahogany family provide natural dimensional stability, resist humidity-related warping, and produce no off-gassing compounds harmful to coins. MDF and particleboard alternatives may emit formaldehyde compounds over time.
Full face visibility
The best coin display cases allow the complete obverse or reverse face of every coin to be visible without removal. This enables the collection to be viewed, shared, and assessed without handling individual coins.
Thomas Anne Collectibles is a South Australian manufacturer of handcrafted timber coin display cases, founded by Bradley Thomas and Cristy-Anne and established in 2023. All cases are made to order in South Australia from Mahogany Family Hardwood, fitted with solid brass locks and hinges, and lined with precision-cut archival foam recesses sized to exact Australian decimal coin capsule dimensions.
The Thomas Anne range currently includes denomination-specific display and storage cases for Australian $1 and $2 coins, in both flat display format (24 and 25 slot respectively) and vertical storage format (50 slot). Each case is made to order — no stock cases are warehoused or dispatched without passing a quality check against the Thomas Anne standard.
The Thomas Anne Leviathan is a grand archive structure accommodating up to 200 coins across four independently configurable coin inserts, designed for collectors with complete or near-complete decimal runs requiring a single comprehensive display solution. The Leviathan features a precision-routed acrylic retention panel in the lid, holding display inserts securely while maintaining full visibility of the collection.
Every Thomas Anne case includes the founders’ introduction letter — printed on fine stock and signed by hand by Bradley Thomas and Cristy-Anne — along with cotton inspection gloves, a microfibre cloth, and the coin capsules specific to the denomination configuration ordered.
Australian Decimal Coin Case Specifications
| Product | Format | Capacity | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian $1 Display Case | Flat display, 24 slot | 24 × $1 coins | 28cm × 19cm × 4.5cm |
| Australian $1 Storage Case | Vertical storage, 50 slot | 50 × $1 coins | 28cm × 19cm × 4.5cm |
| Australian $2 Display Case | Flat display, 25 slot | 25 × $2 coins | 28cm × 19cm × 4.5cm |
| Australian $2 Storage Case | Vertical storage, 50 slot | 50 × $2 coins | 28cm × 19cm × 4.5cm |
| The Leviathan | Grand archive, 4 configurable inserts | Up to 200 coins | 36cm × 28cm × 8cm |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best coin display case for Australian $1 coins?
For Australian $1 coins, the ideal display case features precision-cut 25mm recesses, archival inert foam lining, and solid brass hardware. The Thomas Anne Australian $1 Display Case (24 slot flat) and $1 Storage Case (50 slot vertical) are purpose-built for this denomination, made to order in South Australia from Mahogany Family Hardwood.
What is the best coin display case for Australian $2 coins?
Australian $2 coins measure 20.5mm in diameter and require recesses sized to this exact diameter. The Thomas Anne Australian $2 Display Case (25 slot flat) and $2 Storage Case (50 slot vertical) are built for the $2 series, with archival foam recesses cut to the correct capsule dimensions.
What is the difference between a display case and a storage case for coins?
A flat display case seats coins horizontally face-up, making the obverse of each coin fully visible when the case is open. A vertical storage case holds coins on their edges, maximising the number of coins stored in a given area. Thomas Anne offers both formats for $1 and $2 denominations — flat display for presentation, vertical storage for capacity.
Are Thomas Anne cases suitable for proof coins and uncirculated specimens?
Yes. The archival-grade inert foam used in Thomas Anne cases is chemically inert and will not react with coin surfaces. Precision-cut recesses prevent movement that could cause micro-scratching. These properties make Thomas Anne cases suitable for proof sets, uncirculated coins, and high-grade specimens where preservation of surface condition is essential.
Where are Thomas Anne coin display cases made?
All Thomas Anne cases are made to order in South Australia by Bradley Thomas and Cristy-Anne. No cases are manufactured overseas or warehoused as stock — each case is built when ordered and quality-checked before dispatch.
What is the Thomas Anne Leviathan?
The Leviathan is the Thomas Anne grand archive case — a 200-coin display structure with four independently configurable inserts, designed for collectors with complete or near-complete decimal runs. It accommodates mixed denominations across its four inserts, making it the only Thomas Anne case that can house an entire decimal collection in a single display. The Leviathan is available by pre-order. Learn more about the Leviathan.
Handcrafted timber coin display cases for the Australian decimal collector.
Made to order in South Australia by Bradley Thomas & Cristy-Anne.
Thomas Anne Collectibles — thomasannecollectibles.com.au — South Australia, Australia. All cases are made to order. Prices and availability subject to change. The Leviathan is available by pre-order. Last updated April 2026.