Thanks for all the replies so far. Some nice solutions there!
As Anaximander says, number of coins is a major factor. An "everything on display" solution unfortunately doesn't
work so well for larger numbers of coins unless you're wiling to accept some
type of
bulk in terms of albums/cases or a cabinet.
The Lindner/Lighthouse line does seem very extensive with a
good range of options. Of their albums I like the clean look of their "Optima Pur" (below), although I don't think it'd really
work for me other than perhaps for a small selected
part of my
collection; I'd really prefer a single long-term storage method though. The trays are nice too, for a combination of compactness and group coin display.
I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that maybe what's going to be best for me is
good old-fashioned 2x2 paper envelopes in
Whitman plastic boxes, with a mini-cabinet of some
type for an "on display" selection that I could rotate from time to time. I'm not sure that using plastic
flips in boxes is really any improvement, for me, over paper envelopes since I'm going to want to take the coins out loose for photography/rotation/etc.
My immediate problem is making the roughly 1/2 of my
collection that is currently unceremoniously stored in ziploc bags (awaiting resolution of this storage decision) easily searchable and accessible, for which I'm planning to use this paper envelope in
Whitman boxes (sturdy for stacking, moving, etc) method, with quick handwritten labels on the envelopes (given sheer numbers to deal with, I want to do something that'll be very quick
per coin). Slightly longer term I may use a color laser printer to print nice labels on stick-on label sheets which I can put on the envelopes, and would allow for color coding, photos on labels (to
help rapid selection), even
bar code or QR-code if useful. I thought about the small thermal label printers too, but thermal labels fade withing a few years, so that wouldn't
work. The color and high-resolution possibilities of laser printer labels seems very attractive.
For a mini cabinet, I'm currently considering a Walmart solution! (for our non-US
members, Walmart is a horrible low-end department store). They have a surprisingly nice looking and inexpensive beechwood artists storage box for only $34.93, which I think could be adapted. It seems the drawer dividers could be removed, and Lighthouse trays put in instead. The Lighthouse trays meant for their attache cases are roughly the right size, and could be trimmed to fit.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/7-Elements-Beechwood-Artist-Storage-Supply-Box-for-Pastels-Pencils-Pens-Markers-Brushes-Tools/793419609Please keep the suggestions coming though - always interesting to see what other people are doing, and
pick up various ideas.
Ben