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

DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,279 ✭✭✭✭✭

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?

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

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Comments

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,768 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I peel it, then pull the staples.

  • Jzyskowski1Jzyskowski1 Posts: 6,650 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Staple remover needlenose hobby pliers

    🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶

  • panexpoguypanexpoguy Posts: 1,239 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

  • chesterbchesterb Posts: 961 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

  • Mr_SpudMr_Spud Posts: 5,763 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 9, 2021 6:51PM

    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.

    Mr_Spud

  • opportunityopportunity Posts: 1,028 ✭✭✭✭

    @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.

    Early American Copper, Bust and Seated.

  • keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,519 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners. :smile:
  • BarndogBarndog Posts: 20,501 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

  • amwldcoinamwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,193 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • tokenprotokenpro Posts: 881 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

  • WinLoseWinWinLoseWin Posts: 1,582 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

    "To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin

  • cmerlo1cmerlo1 Posts: 7,919 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 9, 2021 3:54PM

    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.

    You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.
  • tommy44tommy44 Posts: 2,294 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

    it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide

  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 2,042 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

  • thefinnthefinn Posts: 2,656 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

    thefinn
  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,617 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

  • jdimmickjdimmick Posts: 9,702 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

  • koynekwestkoynekwest Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,166 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • JimnightJimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

  • thisistheshowthisistheshow Posts: 9,386 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @USSID17 said:

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

    Very very carefully!

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

  • YQQYQQ Posts: 3,314 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 10, 2021 10:42AM

    All the above albeit carefully! :D

  • AMRCAMRC Posts: 4,280 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

    MLAeBayNumismatics: "The greatest hobby in the world!"
  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,807 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @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!

  • messydeskmessydesk Posts: 20,043 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,661 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 10, 2021 12:33PM

    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.

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,169 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

  • mvs7mvs7 Posts: 1,662 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @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.

  • amwldcoinamwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 10, 2021 1:30PM

    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?

  • lclugzalclugza Posts: 568 ✭✭

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

    image"Darkside" gold
  • Namvet69Namvet69 Posts: 9,063 ✭✭✭✭✭

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

    BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW

  • markelman1125markelman1125 Posts: 1,858 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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

  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,279 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @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.

  • savitalesavitale Posts: 1,409 ✭✭✭✭✭
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,176 ✭✭✭✭✭

    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.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?

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