"Crack out" tips???

bigbadchad777

Is there a correct way to remove a coin from a PCGS Slab?

KlectorKid

chainsaw!!!!!.... tap it on the side with a hammer works for me

ursabear

I concur with KlectorKid (the hammer, of course).

What I do is I wrap the slab in a diaper or terry cloth and grip the slab tightly over the coin's circular area (to keep it from dropping out, getting mangled, or rattling excessively).

I then put the slab on its edge on a firm surface (like a chopping block). Then I take a light hammer and rap the edge of the slab all down one edge, turn it 1/4, rap it all along that edge, turn it 1/4, etc.

I always make sure I grip the coin circle during the tapping process. Once I've rapped all around the entire slab, I take it out of the cloth and gently (and carefully) pry apart the plastic. Sometimes another trip around the edges may be necessary. I probably take too long and am too gentle, but I've not scratched or dropped any coins yet.

Loki

Thanks for that detailed description ursabear. I haven't tried removing a coin from any slab but I would like to remove one from an NGC slab. Would that description be the same for removing a coin from an NGC slab as well?

ursabear

Loki,

Yes, this crackout technique worked with all the types of slabs I've broken thus far. (I got my PR69DCAM Delaware .25 out of a PCI that I got for a low price!)

I have not tried a SEGS or ACG, so I would not speak directly of them, however.