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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Collect89, post: 414491, member: 15445&quot;]<b>Collect89 suggests using a machinist&#039;s vice</b></p><p><br /></p><p>Slabs from different grading companies open quite differently.&nbsp; Some slabs you can simply twist in your hand and others require nuclear fission to open them.&nbsp; I understand that down in Sarasota Florida they use a standard machinist&#039;s vice to crack NGC slabs and sometimes PCGS slabs.&nbsp; They place the slab in the vice until it is held by two edges &amp; then give the vice handle one extra UMMPH.&nbsp; This cracks the welded seal on one side &amp; then they re-insert the slab to squeeze &amp; break the other two sides.&nbsp; I know this works because I recently cracked three 1912-S MS63 nickels.&nbsp; The three nickels were slightly undergraded in my opinion.&nbsp; I just got them back today and the first tier grading company agreed with me on two of the three.&nbsp; (Yes I am happy with that).&nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>When you crack a coin out of a slab (especially a key coin) I believe you should mail the old label(s) to the original slab company.&nbsp; Otherwise population figures will get further &amp; further out of control.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The most popular method I&#039;ve seen used to crack slabs at a show is the use of end-cutting pliers / bolt cutters.&nbsp; Personally, I sometimes carry a pair of vice grips.&nbsp; Protect your hands &amp; eyes using any technique!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Very best regards,</p><p>collect89[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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