My FIRST crack out! Thoughts...

Tiring of the same 'ol coins at the same 'ol coin shows... (took me a few years to realize these dealers basically have the same stuff month in and month out) I've resorted to buying on eBay. My plan being to buy slabbed coins so I'm at least somewhat protected. It's just too hard for me to judge a raw coin online.

I didn't think I'd have this much fun cracking out! Understanding I devalued the coin probably 30%, I wanted the coin in an album. I saved the little label affixing to the inside cover of the album. Obviously it is now worthless but it was still fun to do. The coin was much harder to break out than I thought it'd be, any 'easy' way? Surprisingly the quarter had "black" marks where the prongs held the coin in the NGC slab. This was a little disheartening as coins are supposed to be protected when slabbed.

Anyway, thanks for listening - any suggestions on process would be great!

 

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Band saw works well. Use caution of course.

 

I found that a vise and crescent wrench make a formidable pair...but then again I've only cracked out three slabs. Amazed at how far the pieces flew!

 

Place coin on the side on hard surface ie; sidewalk or concrete floor. Then take ordinary hammer and hammer away on the edge. 1 or 2 hits should easily free the coin from its plastic tomb.

 

Personally I never understood buying slabbed coins and then cracking them out. I've only done it twice when the slab was damaged and needed re-holdered and the other time just for fun on a $5 slabbed coin.

Once you destroy the slab, the grade is now invalid. I don't care if you were in a clean room and wore cotton gloves. The grade no longer applies.

The slab also protects the coin, and the TPG's grade adds value.

I understand buying slabbed coins so you're "protected". Many people do this as pictures often hide things or worked over to make a $1 coin look like a $50 coin.

There is no reason, none, whatsoever, to bust them out of the holder.

Simply the slab itself is worth $5 for keeping the coin protected. Every time you bust a slab, you might as well take a $5 bill and burn it.

 

Every time a coin is cracked out of a slab, a Flying Eagle loses it's wings.

 

"Once you destroy the slab, the grade is now invalid." --- you're assuming the grade was valid to begin with (thought some of the crowd would like that)

Various sets I collect in PCGS holders -- Peace, the silver Washington series, and a NON-FBL set of Franklins - try THAT, I dare ya!! Some are darn near impossible...

Respectfully Detecto, although I'm in agreement with your point, there is a personal reason. I don't want 85% of the set in an album and 15% in holders. Maybe I could put a sticker on the 'hole' stating "GRADED COIN" or something. It's just the age old empty hole syndrome. I would argue your assessment of $5 on a crack out is far too low...

Ultimately if I change my mind I can always send the coins back to get graded and have the same grade with a newer slab!!! (thick, dripping sarcasm)

 

Sure there is. Not liking them in holders is a valid reason.

So it's not OK to burn a few dollars now and then? I gotta find a different hobby.

 

Well sending a slab to PCGS to have them regrade it and put their name on it involves breaking a coin out of a slab, which is a great reason to break it out.

What if you ended up somehow with an ANGS slab (from that other thread going on right now), it would only be worth keeping that coin if you are going to free it from having an ANGS title on it lol.

 

Wrong.

Whether the coin is in a slab or not, if the coin has the criteria for a 68, it's still a 68 regardless of it being slabbed or in a 2x2.

 

I definitely like my Capped Bust halves raw , since most of mine are EF or lower I also like holding them . I've also cracked out coins whose slabs have become to scratched to see the coin well . To each their own .

 

I have used a hammer and screwdriver. Insert the screwdriver in the seam on the edge of the slab, whack with hammer.
I have cracked out 2 coins to put into a Mercury dime album, a 1925-D and a 1921.
Just wanted to be sure those were authentic.
Also cracked out a coin that was graded "Details, scratched". Looks better in a Capitol holder without the nasty designation.

 

I disagree - the price of a nice coin should be about the same whether in a slab or not.

And if I agree with the grade of the coin - that grade sticks whether in the slab or out of the slab.

Now having said that - I have cracked out a bunch of coins for my albums. Both the bust half and large cent album. The others I leave in the slabs like you. Cracking them out is fun in my opinion. I just keep the labels in a little envelope in the album.

 

PS - if and when other people buy coins for me, then I will let the tell me if I can crack them out. Until that time I will do as I please for my albums.

 

the op : My FIRST crack out! Thoughts...

tomorrows just your future yesterday

 

"Details, scratched". Looks better in a Capitol holder

Great point... I see a lot of collectors using the Capitol lately. The guys working at the coin shop use them -- pull 'em out of the beige box and show 'em off. It's really neat!

 

Mark_h ---- I should have been more clear. From what *I've* seen on ebay specifically, it seems graded coins sell for around a third more than raw (at least in the sub $500 class)

 

This is what I use