How do you remove a $1000.00 coin from a stapled 2x2?

DNADave

I received an expensive coin today in a NGC slab along with its previous 2x2 holder, which I appreciated. It’s obvious that the coin was removed by pulling apart the 2x2 and exposing the staple points, which I really don’t think is best at all.
Here’s what that looks like.

I almost always use a wooden toothpick to punch the Mylar and then bend the cardboard to pop the coin out.

And using scissors to cut them close to the window works pretty good too

On a side note. Who would have done this? The auction house prior to submitting for grading. The consignor. Or NGC?

ctf_error_coins

Scissors make an accurate and safe cut.

Kliao

I've always used a small pin to put a small hole then pushed the coin from behind so it'll pop out.

JBK

I peel it, then pull the staples.

Jzyskowski1

Staple remover needlenose hobby pliers

panexpoguy

Take a picture front and back and send it to pcgs to grade.

chesterb

I’ve done all of the above and never once scratched a coin. Any of those work if you are careful enough.

Mr_Spud

If I can remove the staples with my fingernails, I do so, but if the staples are flattened like they usually are then I pop the Mylar with the tip of a scoopula because it works perfectly. Edited to add that I have also used the scoopula as a staple remover by using it carefully to raise each prong one at a time before using it to pull it out from the other side if I want to save the flip.

Steven59

All I do is bend the points up, pull the staple back up then out of the flip..........no staples, no worry.

opportunity

@Steven59 said:
All I do is bend the points up, pull the staple back up then out of the flip..........no staples, no worry.

This is the way... The other way is to do a quick snap-bend where you push the rim of the coin against the film. That probably would work better with bigger coins, and if you're in a hurry.

USSID17

@DNADave said:
How do you remove a $1000.00 coin from a stapled 2x2?

Very very carefully!

CaptHenway

Pop the mylar with a round wooden toothpick.

keyman64

I use my pocket knife to puncture and cut the plastic around in a circle about a third-half of the way around then pop the coin out. I make sure the coin is as far away from the blade as possible. It is quick and easy. I do this at a table while free of distractions. I've done this with thousands of coins without ever making a dreaded mistake.

Hydrant

I've never bought a 1K coin in a cardboard flip. Probably never will. I can't help you.

Barndog

stab the mylar with a knife. Did that for a few hundred coins a couple years ago.

amwldcoin

I've got a well seasoned thumbnail for doing that!

airplanenut

In 2003 at the Baltimore ANA I submitted a few coins to ANACS, and at least one was in a cardboard 2x2. They moved the coin to one side and sliced the edge of the mylar (the part away from the coin) with a box cutter. With a little tear, pushing the coin will rip enough of the rest of the mylar for the coin to easily pop out. That's how I've been doing it ever since. If it's a stapled flip, I'll just cut off the flip from just below the staple.

tokenpro

For a couple people here the question might be "how do you remove the token without destroying the holder" to preserve the provenance (or more aptly referred to in U.S. terms as chain of custody or sometimes chain of evidence). That is a typical Rossa & Tanenbaum holder in Steve Tanenbaum's hand which no doubt has one of their 7 or 11 different cost codes on the back.

PerryHall

I remove coins from stapled 2X2 holders the same way that porcupines make love---very carefully.

WinLoseWin

On lesser items, I sometimes use a fingernail to slice the mylar at least halfway around and lifting out by the edge.

On any better coins I use a sharpened pencil point as I don't want anything metal getting close to the coin. It's also softer than a toothpick or fingernail and can be used very quickly, much quicker than removing staples. with less risk in my opinion.

cmerlo1

Accepting submissions for ANACS at a show, I've removed thousands of coins from 2X2's that are stapled with no issues. I very carefully make a small hole in the mylar between the edge of the coin and the cardboard with an exacto knife and then push from the opposite side. The mylar breaks, and I can safely remove the coin. I have a lot of customers who want the 2X2's back, and this method preserves the cardboard as well.

tommy44

The same way I would remove a $1.00 coin, X-acto knife around half of the Mylar circle and pop it out.

oldabeintx

I simply remove al the staples first and take my time doing it. I don't want anything sharp in the vicinity of an exposed coin. I guess I would find a faster method if it were an inexpensive coin.

thefinn

I use my pen knife (miniature Swiss Army knife) and puncture the cellophane around the coin, then cut around it.

TurtleCat

I have almost always popped the Mylar to get the coin out. Very carefully with something that won’t hurt the coin and I gently push it out onto a soft surface that’s just below.

jdimmick

I punch out the plastic window, or have used the scissor method to cut into the 2x2 just enough to get to the window on the the thicker ones.

koynekwest

I carefully puncture the cellophane and pop the coin out of the 2 x 2.

lkenefic

I push the coin to one side of the Mylar and use an exacto knife to make just a small cut... the Mylar usually tears away at that point.

Jimnight

I break the crimp on the staples and carefully pull the staples out from the opposite side.

SmEagle1795

Gold and silver have a higher melting point than paper and plastic. Just start it on fire and take it out when freed!

thisistheshow

@USSID17 said:

@DNADave said:
How do you remove a $1000.00 coin from a stapled 2x2?

Very very carefully!

............
This is the correct answer. 😂

Unknown

This content has been removed.

YQQ

anything you do with the staples increases your chance of accidentally scratching the coin.
and that, regardless of HOW careful you are or what removal method you use.

asheland

All the above albeit carefully!

AMRC

I have found that the safest way is to use an Exacto knife and cut the mylar film just outside the rim of the coin about halfway around on one side. A little pressure with your thumb, and the coin pops right out never getting anywhere near any staple yet alone a nasty exposed one.

BryceM

@SmEagle1795 said:
Gold and silver have a higher melting point than paper and plastic. Just start it on fire and take it out when freed!

That's where all your fancy toners are coming from!

messydesk

Poke the Mylar with the same rose thorn I use for removing crud from the coin.

ricko

I use my pocket knife to cut the mylar, then extract the coin and throw the 2x2 away. Cheers, RickO

Baley

Some folks are concerned about staples in the cardboard, but then use a knife, box cutter, or xacto razor blade to cut the plastic right next to the coin??

I'll use a toothpick to pop the mylar.

If for some reason I want to save the 2x2, I'll very slowly and carefully remove the staples, then get up and throw them away. All done on soft cloth. No metal anywhere near the bare coin.

cameonut2011

Why would you place a 4 figure in a 10c holder to begin with?

mvs7

@cameonut2011 said:
Why would you place a 4 figure in a 10c holder to begin with?

If you are old enough, it might've only been worth face value when you put it in the 10c holder.

amwldcoin

Some of my Russian Coins that were in 2x2's approached 5 figures!
Edit Most were in them when I bought them and that's where they stayed until they were plasticized for auction!

@cameonut2011 said:
Why would you place a 4 figure in a 10c holder to begin with?

lclugza

I've used my own fingernails to cut the plastic where it meets the rim of the coin.

Namvet69

I carefully open and remove staples so coin can slide out. Staple tips make me nervous. Peace Roy

ShipwreckCoinHunter

I would say press the coin out through the film. That way it falls out without touching the cardboard. Made sure though you have something soft for the coin to fall onto after being pressed out of the plastic film

DNADave

@amwldcoin said:
Some of my Russian Coins that were in 2x2's approached 5 figures!
Edit Most were in them when I bought them and that's where they stayed until they were plasticized for auction!

@cameonut2011 said:
Why would you place a 4 figure in a 10c holder to begin with?

that’s what I was getting at towards the end of the OP. The first pic is what the coin was in. It looks like either Hertage, the consignor, or NGC would have pulled it apart. Surely they know to be more careful than that.

savitale

Scissors, cut the cardboard inside of the staples.

BillJones

If there is enough room around the coin, cut the milar around it, and take coin out of it. This works in most cases. If the the cardboard comes too close to the coin, use you fingernail to lift the the ends of the staples. It’s hard but required. I have done it many times.