Putting together my dream proof set (1953). Should I crack this slab?

I have made a previous post about my 1953 proof set, and gotten some very good advice from you all. As I look at the set in hand, I agree with the seller and CT experts that the Half,Q, and rossie are natural toning. I am satisfied with these three, but the nickel, and cent lag behind in comparison. With this being said, I would like to carefully remove the plate and replace the 1953 Nickel and Cent. Here are the two that I am pondering for replacement. The 53 Nickel is slabbed at PR66 via PCGS. I have never cracked a slab before, and am hesitent to do so. On the other hand these will never be for sale. I plan on making a coin book/album via Shutterbug to catologue my collection. I would like this Proof Set to be on the cover of my U.S. series catologue. How would I go about properly removing the nickel from the slab? What are your thoughts on this cent? Very much appreciated. ~Jason

 

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I would just like to mention that the Nickel+Cent above would be the replacements. edited Here is a pic of the nickel reverse.

 

the two slabed coins look like a good match to the silver ones you have, will make a great set. plus you can sell the other 2 to help offset costs. cracking open slabs is no big deal, just use pliers and stay near the edge. keep a soft towel under the whole process just in case. or hacksaw off 2 corners and split from there.

 

If you really want to, but I'd prefer to get the silver graded.
If you want to crack the slabs, I'd suggest you use something like this:

 

or... you could assemble a set that is in slabs and graded.

I recently embarked on an adventure to assemble a 1962 US Proof Set in Ultra Cameo. Sounds like it'd be pretty doable and fun, but the problem is that I can't find the coins!

It took me 2 years of searching to find my cent which I recently bought on teletrade. I am still looking for the nickel and with less than 100 of them on the planet, it may be another 2 years before I find one.

But truthfully, the hunt has been fun and as entertaining as the coins. I recommend to anyone who is trying to assemble a set of something to think outside of the box and try for something a bit more challenging and unusual.

You may never be able to complete it, but and I never thought I'd say this: It's more fun to not be able to find the coins easily than to be able to find them in a week on eBay.

 

I agree. I wouldn't crack it out either.

 

Here's the result of the last time I tried to crack out a coin from a slab!

 

I completely see where your comming from. It has been a real adventure trying to track down the appropriate Nickle/Cent. Evenly toned in the same family as the half-rossie. The nickel spoke to me. I wish it had a little more toning though. Not so sure about the cent.

 

I've also considered replacing the nickel and leaving the cent that is in place. Even though it doesn't have the vibrant tone, there would be a wide variance of color in the set.

 

This seems to make the most sense to me. I'd hate to destroy a nice slabbed coin. (Well not the coin itself, but you know what I mean )

 

i have an easier fix, ship it over to me and then start over, easy as 1 2 3

 

This is much easier. Especially for PCGS slabs. About 3 seconds and foolproof. Done it hundreds of times. (It's better to tap a hammer around the edges of an NGC slab.)
Lance.