Quick answer
Store each accessory type separately: dice in a soft-lined bag or divided box, enamel pins on a felt-backed display or in a pin binder, and tabletop coins in a dry, padded container. Keep everything out of direct sunlight and away from heat, and handle pieces with clean, dry hands. A five-minute monthly check catches loose backs, sticky residue, and early tarnish before they become permanent.
Why material matters before you choose a container
Dice, enamel pins, and coins fail in different ways. Polyhedral dice pick up scratches and scuffs on their faces, and painted or inked numbers can wear if they rub against harder pieces. Enamel pins chip at the edge of the enamel if they knock together, and the metal backing can tarnish. Coins develop fingerprints, edge dings, and surface haze. That means a single 'throw everything in one box' approach is the fastest way to dull a collection.
Match the container to the material. Soft fabric or foam protects dice and coins from impact; rigid dividers stop pins from sliding into each other. Acid-free or inert materials matter for long-term storage because cheap plastics and cardboard can off-gas and leave a film. If you are unsure what a product is made of, treat it as fragile and add a layer of soft protection rather than guessing.
Set up a dry, stable storage spot
Pick a location that stays between roughly 60 and 75°F and away from windows, radiators, and vents. Rapid temperature swings cause metal to expand and contract, which loosens pin backs and can lift enamel. Humidity is the bigger threat: damp air accelerates tarnish on coins and pin metal, and it can soften cardboard boxes over time.
If you live in a humid climate, add a small silica gel packet to each storage box and replace it every few months. Keep boxes off the floor and away from basement or garage walls where moisture creeps in. A closet shelf or a desk drawer in a climate-controlled room is usually safer than an attic or garage.
Handle pieces with clean, dry hands
Oils and salts from your fingers are the most common cause of dull spots on coins and cloudy patches on enamel. Wash and dry your hands before sorting or playing, and avoid lotions or hand sanitizers right before you touch a collection. For coins you plan to store long-term, cotton gloves are worth the small cost.
When you pick up a die, hold it by the edges rather than pressing your thumb across the highest face. That one habit keeps the most visible number or symbol clean and reduces wear on painted recesses. The same logic applies to pins: lift them by the metal rim, not the enamel face.
Separate accessories by type and use
Keep dice, pins, and coins in different containers even if they share a shelf. Hard dice edges can scratch softer metal, and a loose pin back can snag fabric dice bags. If you carry accessories to game night, use a dedicated case with distinct compartments rather than a single pouch.
Within each type, separate by frequency of use. The dice you roll every session can live in a soft bag for quick access, while special-edition or display pieces stay in a closed box. This reduces handling on the pieces you care most about and keeps everyday wear on the items built for it.
Deal with moisture and residue immediately
If a piece gets wet, dry it right away with a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not rub hard; blot first, then air-dry completely before returning it to storage. Trapped moisture inside a closed container is worse than a brief spill because it has nowhere to escape.
Sticky residue from tape or old price labels should be removed with a gentle approach. Start by trying to lift the edge with a fingernail or plastic card. If that fails, a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab can help on metal, but test on an inconspicuous area first and never soak enamel or painted surfaces.
Step-by-step RPG accessory care routine
- Clear a clean, dry workspace: Wipe down a table with a dry cloth and lay out a soft towel. Work away from drinks and sinks. This prevents the most common accident: a knocked-over cup soaking a dice bag or pin card. Checkpoint: if the surface feels damp or gritty, stop and clean it before you unpack anything.
- Sort by material and use: Group dice together, pins together, and coins together. Within each group, separate everyday pieces from display or special-edition pieces. This stops hard edges from scratching softer items and keeps handling focused on the pieces that can take it. Mistake to avoid: tossing a loose pin back into a dice bag, where it can snag fabric and scratch dice.
- Inspect each piece for damage or residue: Look for chipped enamel, loose pin backs, sticky spots, or cloudy film on coins. Address small issues now: tighten pin backs, blot moisture, and remove residue gently. Early action prevents permanent damage. Checkpoint: if a pin back spins freely, replace it before storing the pin.
- Choose the right container for each type: Use a soft-lined bag or divided box for dice, a felt-backed display or pin binder for enamel pins, and a dry, padded container for coins. Add a silica gel packet to boxes in humid rooms and replace it every few months. Mistake to avoid: storing everything in one airtight plastic tub, which traps moisture and lets pieces rub together.
- Store in a stable, dark location: Place containers on a shelf or in a drawer away from windows, heaters, and damp walls. Keep them off the floor. Stable temperature and low light slow tarnish and protect enamel color. Checkpoint: if the spot feels warm or damp to the touch, move the collection.
- Do a five-minute monthly check: Open each container, look for new scratches, tarnish, or loose backs, and confirm the silica packet is still dry. Rotate display pins so the same face is not always exposed to light. This short routine catches problems while they are still reversible. Next step: if you find recurring moisture, add a second silica packet or move the collection to a drier room.
Product examples and storage notes
- The Brand of Cthulhu Dice - Bone White on Eldritch Red Polyhedral Set: The Brand of Cthulhu Dice set replaces the highest value of each die with the symbol of Great Cthulhu. Because the symbol sits on the most-handled face, store these dice so that face does not rub against other dice; a soft-lined bag or a divided tray protects the inked symbol from scuffing.
- Colors out of Space Complete Collectable Enamel Pin Set: The Colors out of Space Complete Collectable Enamel Pin Set includes three Lovecraftian designs: the Star of Azathoth, the Seal of Yog-Sothoth, and the Eye of Chaos. Three pins in one set means three chances for enamel to chip if they knock together. Store them on a felt-backed display or in a pin binder with individual slots, and check the backs periodically for tightness.
- Vast Grimm Tribute Card Deck: The Vast Grimm Tribute Card Deck is a foil card deck that includes 20 Tributes from the core Vast Grimm book. Foil surfaces show fingerprints and scratches easily, so keep this deck in a sleeve or a small box rather than loose in a bag with dice or metal pins.
