Have you ever.......

Peaceman

successfully removed a coin from molded plastic? I've seen several items on ebay with coins inside plastic like paperweights, etc.....

Peaceman

TTT

itsnotjustme

Must say I haven't. I recall a nice Lexington-Concord half sealed in plastic.... hmmm

Pushkin

Dynamite?

MrLee

A real, real big hammer?

prooflike

Are you talking like inside one of those resin paperweights? Good luck !

Placid

I have tried but no luck the coin was ruined.

lordmarcovan

I've never removed coins from any plastic besides slabs. Surely there must be a way.

Does the resin in those paperweights stick to the surfaces of the coin, I wonder, or is there a way to put one crack in it and pry it open so the coin falls out?

Peaceman

mmmmm, I may just buy it and try..... There are several $25 - $ 100 coins in this one piece....... if I can get it cheap.... Has ANYONE been successful at this? I can't see soaking it in a chemical to get the plastic off you'd just ruin the coin......

Conder101

I don'tknow if Acetone will dissolve the resin in those plastics or not. It might be worth a try. If it does dissolve it get a glass jar that you can seal and soak it in the acetone, removing it occasionally to change the acetone. I would also cut away as much of the excess plastic as possible before you started soaking. the acetone soak won't hurt the coin. If the acetone does not dissolve the plastic then I would try the liquid nitrogen approach. Get some liquid nitrogen or liquid oxygen, put the plastic item in it for 30 seconds or so (USE TONGS!) then take it out and smack it with a hammer. There is a fairly good chance that the plastic will shatter off the coin completely. If you use this method I would NOT cut away the excess plastic.

newbiecollector

I'm with Condor101 on this. Just be very, very careful with the liquid nitrogen. When they say this is cold.they mean it.

DO NOT TOUCH...even for a milli-second

clackamas

IF you froze it in liquid nitrogen you could shatter the coins as well as the plastic. You may want to try dry ice instead. Its still very cold but not as cold as liquid nitrogen.

dorkkarl

i don;t know, but does anyone remember about 3 years ago, someone had an acrylic toilet seat with coins in it? it was the most bizarre numismatic item i've ever seen. i think it had probably 50 or more coins in it? anyone recall seeing that?

K S

nwcs

No, but I bet there'll be one on ebay

mnmcoin

If you are referring to lucite, I believe it is impossible...from what I have been told. The lucite actually bonds to the coin and thus is impossible to remove without hurting the coin. Don't quote me on it, since I have not actually tried it, but have been told by a few long time dealers, including my father.

I bought a 53 proof set on ebay in a lucite paperweight like thingy for $160 thinking I got a steal, but I can sell the thing in it cause everyone says you cant get the coins. Funny thing all five coins are flawless, not a hairline or spot or tone on anyone they are gorgeous strikes and everything.

morris <><

solid

Sounds like the ultimate slab, Morris!

Outhaul

Don't mess with liquid oxygen! LOX + dirt, or grease, or even some plastics is a good combination for explosion or fire.

Let's be careful out there

smprfi

There are acids that react only to plastics and others that react only to metals.Only thing I can suggest is to contact a chemist about which is which.Give your local college a try.If you find out, perhaps they can recomend a place to find the acid you are looking for.