Best way to get stuck coins out of capsule?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Gam3rBlake, Jul 8, 2022.

  1. Gam3rBlake

    Gam3rBlake Well-Known Member

    LAST resort though. O_O

    I don’t wanna drill anything unless absolutely necessary because one small slip and I go through the capsule and into the coin since there’s not much space between them.
     
    Cheech9712 likes this.
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  3. masterswimmer

    masterswimmer A Caretaker, can't take it with me

    There's too many options available without EVER using that as an option. Not even as a last resort.
     
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  4. Gam3rBlake

    Gam3rBlake Well-Known Member

    I tried the heat & cold options but it was still stuck.
     
  5. masterswimmer

    masterswimmer A Caretaker, can't take it with me

    Turn the blow dryer up a little higher.
     
  6. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor

    If the plastic protrudes above the surface of the coin, I have use a nail trimmer to cut the top of the rim at several places , and that often help to loosen its grip. Yes, obviously ( as someone will quip) be carefully and keep away from the coin. Jim
     
  7. eddiespin

    eddiespin Fast Eddie

    I once tried to get a Morgan dollar out of a PCGS slab with a circular saw. It worked, except I ended up with two Morgan half dollars.
     
  8. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    You mean two RARE MINT ERRORS SPLIT PLANCHET?
     
  9. Gam3rBlake

    Gam3rBlake Well-Known Member

    Good idea! I’ll try to break pieces of plastic so I can get a grip on the edge.
     
  10. Gam3rBlake

    Gam3rBlake Well-Known Member

    If I go any higher it will melt the plastic.
     
  11. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    With the capsule open and the edge of the capsule against a soft cloth on a table, put your thumbs against the top of the capsule and your fingers on the back and do your best to bend or break the capsule. Under no circumstances would I drill anything!!!
     
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  12. CygnusCC

    CygnusCC Roping the Learns Supporter

    Not sure if this is the same situation, but to remove a quarter from a US Mint capsule half, I held the capsule half in a pair of channel lock pliers by the rim - sort of like this but on the capsule half instead of a bare coin:
    https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-euro-coin-in-pliers-100083625.html

    Then used a heat gun on the plastic side of capsule half. I actually only used the pliers because it got too hot while I held the capsule with my fingers. The capsule got very flexible and actually bent backwards as I held onto it, dropping the quarter out as it bent from me holding it. I will note that the capsule had a raised rim edge that seemed to help it bend backwards - it was not the smooth sided half.

    For my situation the highest probability of damage was from me and the pliers rather than the heat and any melting plastic. :rolleyes: My saving grace was that I wasn't squeezing the pliers hard, just holding the capsule.

    In any case, basically all of this to say that well before it melts it gets a heck of a lot more flexible and you should see the capsule distort, likely dropping the coin out, before you see any melting or stickiness.
     
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2022
  13. Jim-P

    Jim-P Well-Known Member

    I'd try a little heat to try to expand the plastic without expanding the metal.

    Does the other half of the capsule react to acetone? A little of that might loosen it up.
     
  14. jfreakofkorn

    jfreakofkorn Well-Known Member

    Do you have a foto of the item that you free up ?
     
  15. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    Not sure I'd try the acetone; it could cement the capsule even more firmly to the coin, and it would also ruin the transparency. I know we aren't trying to preserve the capsule, but as long as the coin's stuck in it, it's nice to be able to see the coin...
     
  16. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    You might tap the edge of the holder on a hard surface. Not hard enough to do any damage. This has worked for me.
     
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  17. Dynoking

    Dynoking Well-Known Member

    I insert the point of a utility knife between the edge of the coin and the rim of the capsule. Then gently pry the coin out.
     
  18. Bilbo1

    Bilbo1 Member

    Dissolve the plastic with acetone
     
  19. Spark1951

    Spark1951 Accomplishment, not Activity

    NO…do not dissolve the plastic with acetone. The plastic will adhere to the coin.

    Do what @Dynoking suggested or get a very small pair of needle-nose pliers and slowly break up the remnant capsule…imo…Spark
     
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  20. jamor1960

    jamor1960 The More I learn, the Less I know....

    What about holding it in your hand and tapping the plastic with a hammer?
     
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  21. 1stSgt22

    1stSgt22 I'm just me!

    Try soaking it in cold distilled water! That might loosen the plastic!
     
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