Plastic Coin Tubes

I'm not sure of the mechanism, but I believe it is the container shrinking, not the coins expanding.

I purchased a roll of gem uncirculated 1958 quarters. The gentleman that sold them to me had owned them for decades. They were nearly impossible to extricate from the tube. In fact, I damaged one with a rotary tool I was using to try to cut the casing (moron!) I eventually got them out one-by-one, but it was a harrowing experience.

 

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Is it the clear hard ( maybe celluloid) tubes of decades ago, or the translucent flexible tubes, that are most common today? Most likely it is the clear ones, as they can alter in different humidity/temperature storage. If it the modern ones, perhaps the tubes are the same ( try a new cent and see if it fits) but the coins have developed some corrosion on the edges that is holding them. Hard to tell without a photo or something.

 

I got an idea. PCGS can start slabbing rolls of coins. What a racket!!!

 

LOL, how did that turn out?

LOL, nice!

I was going to suggest using a lighter under it or a hammer :computer:

Regards,
Stan

 

It's already been done, my man:

http://cgi.ebay.com/PCGS-2010-Silve...iewItemQQptZCoins_Bullion?hash=item58871591db

 

IMO that is super cheese weasel!

 

OMG!:rolling:

 

Aye Caramba!!!

 

I don't recall a simple relationship between the density of plastics vs metals with respect to expansion and contraction. However, I do believe that the linear expansion of copper is quite a bit less than most plastics that are used for pipes.

 

As long as you take your time and don't act like you're using a ramrod on an old flintlock rifle, you will probably not cause any damage. Do you have another alternative?

Chris

 

I like my hammer idea

 

I just meant from the macroscopic level there would be a simple relation, as plastics are primarily made from hydrocarbons. Hydrogen and carbon [molecules] are less dense than copper, zinc, tin.

 

I agree that H and C are less dense than Zn, Cu or Sn. I was thinking in a different way and wondering what type of crosslinking might be present in the plastics that would be absent in the crystal structure of a metal.

 

LOL... And if I did get it backwards, perhaps placing it onto the top shelf (or colander) in a vegetable steamer would be the operative procedure! :goofer:

 

Point taken! Didn't think enough about it at that level! :thumb:

 

If it is one of the clear plastic tubes, lay it on it's side on a flat hard surface and gently hit the tube with a hammer. It will eventually split down the side.

Chris

 

Chris, would one hit it like they were opening up a Maryland crab?

 

Make sure you put down some brown paper or newsprint! Just don't dip'em in vinegar, butter, or old bay!

 

Heck, the butter might help the coins come out of the tube!:thumb:

 

BTW, I use the butt end (handle side) of a butter knife to crack my crabs. I wouldn't suggest hitting the tube with that!