Home U.S. Coin Forum

Preferred Way to Crackout CACG Coins?

LuxorLuxor Posts: 470 ✭✭✭✭✭

Does anyone have a method they use for cracking CACG coins out relatively safely? I just got a submission back from them and they made a mistake on a $20 Lib and I need to crack the coin out. I've heard these are tough holders to open.

Your hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need it.

Comments

  • Joe_360Joe_360 Posts: 1,694 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have the same question. I bought a CAC graded 1922 No-D Lincoln cent which graded at 06. Two trusted coin dealer that I deal with stated that it's easily a 10 to 12. Even the person that I bought it from this forum said that he took to the show and got all the way up to 15.

    I'd like to crack it out and send it to our host....

  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,146 ✭✭✭✭✭

    They are not tough to crack, not sure why people think that.
    I put them in a vice and use channel locks to twist and at the edges or nip the edges away and then separate the top and the bottom. The CACG holder is the easiest of PCGS and NGC and CACG, IMO. That's not really a big deal, the important thing with these holders is not how easy it is to crack but how easy it is to see if they've been tampered with.

  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,097 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What was submitted? What was the result? And what were you expecting in terms of a grading result? Seems there are questions worthy of asking .

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • lermishlermish Posts: 2,909 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:

    @lermish said:
    What kind of mistake would require you to crack it out? Their customer service is spectacular, I'm sure if you return it to them they will rectify any problem.

    Maybe they got the grade wrong. They aren't infallible after all.

    Lol, of course they're not. I just thought it was kind of a funny and disingenuous way to post that he's not happy with a grade.

  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 3,700 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Use these and cut through the rail on the side of the slab, near the center of the gasket. You may need to cut both sides and use some elbow grease, the slabs are tough but its not a herculean task.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0061Z1C3M?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

    Founder- Peak Rarities
    Website
    Instagram
    Facebook

  • LuxorLuxor Posts: 470 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PeakRarities said:
    Use these and cut through the rail on the side of the slab, near the center of the gasket. You may need to cut both sides and use some elbow grease, the slabs are tough but its not a herculean task.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0061Z1C3M?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

    Thank you

    Your hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need it.

  • 1madman1madman Posts: 1,468 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Joe_360 said:
    I have the same question. I bought a CAC graded 1922 No-D Lincoln cent which graded at 06. Two trusted coin dealer that I deal with stated that it's easily a 10 to 12. Even the person that I bought it from this forum said that he took to the show and got all the way up to 15.

    I'd like to crack it out and send it to our host....

    If your Lincoln cent is an incredible top notch coin in the 6 holder, I would never think of cracking that out. I would want to pay strong money for that coin, and I’m sure many others would too. Think as if it was a pcgs rattler with a cac gold sticker on it. Would you crack it in that scenario just to get the bumped up number on the slab? I think you’d actually hurt the value by cracking and submitting to NGC (for example) to get 15 on the label. Just my opinion

  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 3,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 28, 2024 5:22PM

    @1madman said:

    @Joe_360 said:
    I have the same question. I bought a CAC graded 1922 No-D Lincoln cent which graded at 06. Two trusted coin dealer that I deal with stated that it's easily a 10 to 12. Even the person that I bought it from this forum said that he took to the show and got all the way up to 15.

    I'd like to crack it out and send it to our host....

    If your Lincoln cent is an incredible top notch coin in the 6 holder, I would never think of cracking that out. I would want to pay strong money for that coin, and I’m sure many others would too. Think as if it was a pcgs rattler with a cac gold sticker on it. Would you crack it in that scenario just to get the bumped up number on the slab? I think you’d actually hurt the value by cracking and submitting to NGC (for example) to get 15 on the label. Just my opinion

    I think you may have misread, if im interpreting correctly i think hes talking about a CACG holder. I agree with your logic, however.

    Though from what I've seen over the past year, some collectors and dealers frequently exaggerate how strict CACG is grading their coins. In the case of a 63/64 downgrading to 58+, I can understand how its a shock to the status quo, but with circ coins I think they've been doing a fine job overall. Perhaps there's an argument to be made that they give out too many details grades, but I haven't submitted many coins there, and the same argument can be made about PCGS.

    Founder- Peak Rarities
    Website
    Instagram
    Facebook

  • 1madman1madman Posts: 1,468 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PeakRarities said:

    @1madman said:

    @Joe_360 said:
    I have the same question. I bought a CAC graded 1922 No-D Lincoln cent which graded at 06. Two trusted coin dealer that I deal with stated that it's easily a 10 to 12. Even the person that I bought it from this forum said that he took to the show and got all the way up to 15.

    I'd like to crack it out and send it to our host....

    If your Lincoln cent is an incredible top notch coin in the 6 holder, I would never think of cracking that out. I would want to pay strong money for that coin, and I’m sure many others would too. Think as if it was a pcgs rattler with a cac gold sticker on it. Would you crack it in that scenario just to get the bumped up number on the slab? I think you’d actually hurt the value by cracking and submitting to NGC (for example) to get 15 on the label. Just my opinion

    I think you may have misread, if im interpreting correctly i think hes talking about a CACG holder. I agree with your logic, however.

    I based my thoughts on that the coin is currently in a cacg 6 holder, and he can turn that to a pcgs/ngc 15. My opinion was getting the max grade on a label does not always create max value. I think a fantastic looking 6 could be worth more than a coffin holder 15. Reason I mentioned the rattler w/cac gold sticker is the label grade can clearly go up with a regrade, but the value of the coin may actually suffer because of it.

  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 3,700 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @1madman said:

    @PeakRarities said:

    @1madman said:

    @Joe_360 said:
    I have the same question. I bought a CAC graded 1922 No-D Lincoln cent which graded at 06. Two trusted coin dealer that I deal with stated that it's easily a 10 to 12. Even the person that I bought it from this forum said that he took to the show and got all the way up to 15.

    I'd like to crack it out and send it to our host....

    If your Lincoln cent is an incredible top notch coin in the 6 holder, I would never think of cracking that out. I would want to pay strong money for that coin, and I’m sure many others would too. Think as if it was a pcgs rattler with a cac gold sticker on it. Would you crack it in that scenario just to get the bumped up number on the slab? I think you’d actually hurt the value by cracking and submitting to NGC (for example) to get 15 on the label. Just my opinion

    I think you may have misread, if im interpreting correctly i think hes talking about a CACG holder. I agree with your logic, however.

    I based my thoughts on that the coin is currently in a cacg 6 holder, and he can turn that to a pcgs/ngc 15. My opinion was getting the max grade on a label does not always create max value. I think a fantastic looking 6 could be worth more than a coffin holder 15. Reason I mentioned the rattler w/cac gold sticker is the label grade can clearly go up with a regrade, but the value of the coin may actually suffer because of it.

    Ok, I see what you’re saying. I might agree, but unfortunately we can’t see the coin. The other thing to take into consideration is that many coins are silently net graded for an issue that collectors may not recognize.

    Founder- Peak Rarities
    Website
    Instagram
    Facebook

  • winestevenwinesteven Posts: 4,517 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 28, 2024 7:41PM

    @asheland said:
    From what I have seen, I agree I think they are just a little bit too tight.

    And I like to be tight on my grading, but I think they’re just a little bit too tight.

    I do like their holders, however!

    While I always agree with you, here I disagree. Perhaps it’s NOT that CACG is a little bit too tight, but that the other TPG’s are sometimes too loose! As you can see, it depends on your view!

    Steve

    A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!

    My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
    https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,146 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @winesteven said:

    @asheland said:
    From what I have seen, I agree I think they are just a little bit too tight.

    And I like to be tight on my grading, but I think they’re just a little bit too tight.

    I do like their holders, however!

    While I always agree with you, here I disagree. Perhaps it’s NOT that CACG is a little bit too tight, but that the other TPG’s are sometimes too loose! As you can see, it depends on your view!

    Steve

    None of the TPGs are too tight or too loose. They all use different measuring sticks.

  • winestevenwinesteven Posts: 4,517 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ProofCollection said:

    @winesteven said:

    @asheland said:
    From what I have seen, I agree I think they are just a little bit too tight.

    And I like to be tight on my grading, but I think they’re just a little bit too tight.

    I do like their holders, however!

    While I always agree with you, here I disagree. Perhaps it’s NOT that CACG is a little bit too tight, but that the other TPG’s are sometimes too loose! As you can see, it depends on your view!

    Steve

    None of the TPGs are too tight or too loose. They all use different measuring sticks.

    Yet some of those measuring sticks are apparently looser than the other one.

    Steve

    A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!

    My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
    https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
  • EastonCollectionEastonCollection Posts: 1,381 ✭✭✭✭✭

    For educational purposes, can you share a picture of the coin in the slab?

    Easton Collection
  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 3,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 29, 2024 3:42AM

    I’ll be honest, I read your title and then just posted my answer. Might want to post picture here and answer their questions just to make sure you don’t do something you’re not supposed to,

    Founder- Peak Rarities
    Website
    Instagram
    Facebook

  • Joe_360Joe_360 Posts: 1,694 ✭✭✭✭✭

    My 22 No-D, the photos are not the best, I will try and take some better ones later and post. I had two trusted coin dealers to take a look that I have known for a long time. 1st said F-10, 2nd said F-12. 1st said it was close to a 12, but stayed at 10.
    Photos:

  • 1madman1madman Posts: 1,468 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Joe 360, I’d say that’s the nicest 6 I’ve seen. These are normally closer to slicks when you get to that grade, and yours has a nice uniform color, no spots, with some meat left. The contact marks might be a reason they net graded / dropped it to a 6, but I think they are forgivable at this grade when you trade off for more strike detail still visible.

    I don’t think this coin is a 15, but I would not crack it out of that 6 holder.

  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,146 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @winesteven said:

    @ProofCollection said:

    @winesteven said:

    @asheland said:
    From what I have seen, I agree I think they are just a little bit too tight.

    And I like to be tight on my grading, but I think they’re just a little bit too tight.

    I do like their holders, however!

    While I always agree with you, here I disagree. Perhaps it’s NOT that CACG is a little bit too tight, but that the other TPG’s are sometimes too loose! As you can see, it depends on your view!

    Steve

    None of the TPGs are too tight or too loose. They all use different measuring sticks.

    Yet some of those measuring sticks are apparently looser than the other one.

    Steve

    Consistently maybe? Otherwise, you don't understand. One is measuring inches, the other cm, and then we argue that the inches measurement is more accurate than cm because the number is lower.

  • winestevenwinesteven Posts: 4,517 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 29, 2024 6:16AM

    Not really.

    I get a sense that when you see comments of mine, you ask yourself, “What can I pick on?” Just look at your last two comments. I’m not surprised at all that they EACH came from you!

    If I post a comment that the sky is blue, you’ll try to see if you can reply in a way that tries to point out my comment is not quite right!

    Steve

    A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!

    My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
    https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,146 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @winesteven said:
    Not really.

    I get a sense that when you see comments of mine, you ask yourself, “What can I pick on?” Just look at your last two comments. I’m not surprised at all that they EACH came from you!

    If I post a comment that the sky is blue, you’ll try to see if you can reply in a way that tries to point out my comment is not quite right!

    Steve

    No, I'm not picking on anything and certainly nothing to do with who posted it. It's am important distinction. The measurement is not "looser" it's just to a different standard (inches vs cm in this example). You can measure just as "tightly" in inches as you can in cm, but the number will be different. This forum gets caught up on a CACG MS64 is PCGS 65 which in many cases is true. That doesn't make one system of measurement better or tighter, they are different measurement systems. If you want to compare you have to convert the numbers. The argument that the PCGS standard is looser than CACGs isn't really true because they are different standards like inches and centimeters. That is why greysheet provides prices for coins graded to the CACG standard and prices for those graded to the PCGS standard. We can argue how consistently each company performs their measurements (ie do they report the same measurement every time they look at the same coin), but they are not measuring with the same criteria and standards and thus we should not compare grades as much as we should convert them from one standard to the other.

    This position is a fairly recent revelation for me and not one I've really seen expressed in coin discussion groups, but I think it more accurately describes reality.

  • privatecoinprivatecoin Posts: 3,382 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @winesteven said:
    Not really.

    I get a sense that when you see comments of mine, you ask yourself, “What can I pick on?” Just look at your last two comments. I’m not surprised at all that they EACH came from you!

    If I post a comment that the sky is blue, you’ll try to see if you can reply in a way that tries to point out my comment is not quite right!

    Steve

    That's right the sky is Grey here right now. 😆 sorry my sense of humor couldn't resist.

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • winestevenwinesteven Posts: 4,517 ✭✭✭✭✭

    ok, thanks.

    A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!

    My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
    https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,291 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Fire. It won’t hurt the gold.

  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,291 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Put it in acetone for a few days.

  • privatecoinprivatecoin Posts: 3,382 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,461 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The obv. looks 06, too smooth of hair detail. Rev. looks like a 10 or 12. I'd leave as-is!
    You can use the back of a heavy door, the hinge side and slowly close the door on the open part/upper area of the slab where the coin is not positioned to crack it. Discovered this technique while stranded in a big city at one of the larger shows.

    Leo :)

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • ad4400ad4400 Posts: 2,087 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I concur with the below. My sample size is one. It was far from an elegant process but I was able to cut down the railing on both sides to free the coin.

    I needed/wanted this coin for a PCGS registry and had given up finding one in a PCGS holder. Will say the coin is very appealing for grade, will have to wait to see if PCGS gives it a different grade.

    @PeakRarities said:
    Use these and cut through the rail on the side of the slab, near the center of the gasket. You may need to cut both sides and use some elbow grease, the slabs are tough but its not a herculean task.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0061Z1C3M?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file