Well I made two videos today on cracking a coin out of a holder. :goofer: I always use a hammer, wire snips and a wash cloth. Wrap the coin in the wash cloth and then hit the side of the holder with the hammer till you here the slab crack. I have never damaged a coin yet doing it this way. PCGS Crackout http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YzeB0a_B9U NGC Crackout http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3bLsPnFRj0
My Question is why would you need to break open a coin in a case that has already been graded? Im new to collecting so sorry for the newb question. Is this done frequently?
My little Dremel tool cuts them out nice and quick, and I don't have to worry about the coin flying out and getting scratched.
There are quite a few people out there who don't like slabs, no matter what the value/grade the coin was certified to be. Then there are always people looking for a fresh clean unbiased re-slab, hoping the grade will improve. I cracked a few out back when I started collecting (with a screwdriver and snips) because I wanted to fill my Dansco Album. I regretted it later on.
Has anyone here read this book: http://www.amazon.com/How-Make-Money-Coins-Right/dp/0609807463? When I picked this book up at a local Borders Book Shop ten years ago (first edition), I thought the ideas were worth trying. Let's say you have a high end $20 liberty coin that is around $3000 in MS62 and $8000 in MS63. How many times would you submit it and would it make any difference in the result if you do walk-throughs? Pliers may be a little awkward, but I have found them sufficient.
to free the coin from it's plastic coffin. or at least that's why i do it. not everyone shares that point of view. it all depends on who you ask as to the reply of whether or not a coin should/needs to be slabbed. in the end, the decision is yours.
I use a scroll saw. Takes about 30-60 seconds, depends on the slab. I have a love/hate relationship with plastic.
A New Way To Crack Open Certified Coin Holders FOR NGC, SGS, ANACS, ICG, SEGS, & PCI HOLDERS Finally a device to safely and easily remove coins from certified holders. Please note that all Certified Holders differ in difficulty of opening. This great tool is not designed for use with new PCGS Holders & U.S Mint Sets at this time. Watch It Here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4D4kp3EY94
I put the slab into a plastic baggie first. Then I use a vise to squeeze the long dimension & then the short dimension. During each squeeze, I listen for the "pop" indicating that the plastic weld has been broken. The plastic bag is just to keep everything together. The bag would keep any shrapnel from escaping & it would also prevent the coin from falling out unexpectedly. This technique works for me at home. I sometimes end up with the slab broken perfectly into two pieces. ICG slabs are tough. They often require the use of a Plutonium laser & the jaws-of-life to get them open (actually I use the band saw at work for the tough slabs).
Yea, but now there is a Device to "Safely & Easily remove coins from certified holders." <-- How AWESOME is that!? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4D4kp3EY94
Here's my favorite method: [video=youtube;10w3R6Go0zM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10w3R6Go0zM[/video]