I recently purchased an 1878-CC Morgan slabbed by "World High Standard Grading" (WHSG), which I realize from the fact that they don't seem to exist, is basically without merit. Should I remove the coin from the slab if/when I decide to send it in to one of the top 4 grading services, so as not to influence their grading decision - and rather than having them "re-slab? Yes, I'm new to CoinTalk, or any online talk forum for that matter, so if I'm using it wrong please tell me...nicely.
If you're going to submit to one of the active TPG companies for a re-grade I would remove it from the current slab. If you're not intending to have it re-graded, I would leave it in the current slab for nothing more than protecting it from further damage. BTW, welcome to CT
Welcome to Coin Talk. I agree With @masterswimmer. If you're going to remove it from the holder be very careful not to scratch the coin. I've never removed a coin from a plastic holder so ask other members for their advice on how to remove it.
I watched a video of how to remove a coin from a slab without damaging the coin. The guy used tile nippers and only cracked the lower right corner, just at the raised curved part. By cracking only the corner, the seal is broken and you can separate the two halves of the slab. Surprisingly, or not, there's a video on youtube called "How to remove a coin from a plastic holder without damaging the coin.". BTW, I doubt if that slab would influence any top grading services' decision, but I would take it out anyway. Once removed, keep the slab and start a collection called "Bad Slabs". Good Luck
This. It's just a plastic holder, and you can pretty much ignore everything on the label (or take it with the proverbial grain of salt, anyway). If you're going to submit it to a recognized service, crack it out. Otherwise, keep it in there for the plastic capsule alone.
LM, have you ever cracked one out? Do you know how? Give him some advice on how to do it safely. Thanks LM.
We talk often about cracking slabs here. I wonder if anyone has ever inquired with NGC or PCGS about them cracking the slab for regrading? Seems to me the experts would stand the best chance of cracking without damaging the coin.
I've cracked out a few. It isn't that hard to do. Mostly folks say to remove the coin from a mongrel holder before sending it for grading.
After having cracked out 2 to 300 slabs over the years (not to resubmit but simply because I prefer my collection to be raw) I think I can safely tell you how to crack it out. Insert the slab horizontally in the vise. Tighten the vise . When it cracks remove from vise. Separate the pieces of the slab. (You may need to use a flat screwdriver.) Edit to add: Standard shop safety rules apply. Wear glasses and gloves. Try not to poke out an eye.
^^ would it be good to first masking or mailing tape the front and back to keep any pieces from shattering?
I’d crack this coin out immediately. Why keep it in that slab with a ridiculous label? All my “fun” coins are in my box of 20 - mostly rainbow toned silver coins. I use Lighthouse Quadrum intercept coin holders, they protect the coin and are available in all sizes.
Although I never have it couldn't hurt. In the past I have sometimes wrapped the slab in a towel before cracking though.
To crack a slab I hand it to my hubs who uses his band saw. The nippers and vice tricks work too. I remember one show one of the overseas dealers merrily cracking slab after slab behind his table. Using the tile nipper type things. As for me, one bit of plastic is as good as the next if the coin is not worthy of grading. NGC has crossover for PCGS coins in slab, but has you sign a waiver if it's anyone else's slab. Guess they hate cracking the SEGS slabs too (those are TOUGH). For a no name, I'd rather send in raw if I were sending it in. Pretty much would crack anything other than a PCGS/NGC going the opposite way. Back when I was crossing slabs for a couple sets (that I thought I wanted all in one slab) there were too many of my PCGS coins going to NGC that were 'did not cross'. In case I wanted to sell it would be easier to sell them in the slab with the higher grade, so those were sent in to NGC slab with the PCGS one intact. I don't do much crossing anymore though.
My understanding is, except for special circumstance listed below, NGC and PCGS charge a small add-on fee for removing a coin from a holder that is not their own. Special circumstance (doesn't apply here) is if in the other TPG's holder, submitted for crossover grading, and it crosses. Because OP is inexperienced and the coin is potentially quite valuable, he should leave it in the current holder until submitted to NGC or PCGS and pay them to crack it out for grading. He should call NGC or PCGS to verify that they will remove it from current holder and the cost. Cal
IMO if it's REALLY an MS-64 then, yes, crack it out and get it into an NGC or PCGS slab. And if it's REALLY a DMPL that's more cause to get it reslabbed. But until you crack it out AND give us a hi-res image of both sides our opinions are at best guesses.
If it were mine, I'd crack it out and store in an Air-Tite capsule for the time being. But that's just me. Your mileage may vary.