Removing coins from slabs

grayroads

Question: What is the safest method of breaking open a slab to remove the coin? Thanks for the help from an old-time collector who is returning to collecting.

LucyBop

Simply hit it with a hammer on its side till it cracks...

use eye protection in case of flying debris..

Cladiator

I prefer either strapping a bunch of firecrackers to it and lighting them at the same time or the always popular running it over with your car

Most people don't realize it, but in that picture Lucy has of her standing next to the car....there are 4 PCGS Frankies under that tire!!! Hehehee

Baley

I use a bench vice: squeeze squeeze turn squeeze squeeze.

slab cracks along seams and then opens like a book:

nederveit

Never done a crackout, so in the vise, is the coin vertical or horizontal? Can I assume that you can see the coin when in the vise? Thanks.

Baley

if the jaws are left and right (touching the edges of the slab), the coin faces up (or down).

nederveit

Thanks Baley, that sounds safer (to me) than the saw, the hammer, Lucy's car, etc.

Baley

you're welcome. I've tried the hammer and saw methods, too, and don't like them as much as the vice.

the hammer is too unpredictable and risky for the coin, and plastic shrapnel can be dangerous.

the saw method is safer but plastic dust gets everywhere.

dorkkarl

i use the hammer method. sounds neanderthal, but it's quick & effective, i've never damaged a coin yet. w/ practice, you'll have it down to 5 seconds for most slabs.

watch out for sharp points/edges from the shattered plastic. wear goggles!

K S

nwcs

You can also try a dremel and saw the outside off.

ccrdragon

The vice works well for NGC and PCI, but my experience says that PCGS slabs have a tendency to shatter when in the vice. I like to saw one edge off and then crack them with a thin screwdriver.

foodude

I use cutting pliers. I cut into the slab well away from the coin. In some cases I also use the pliers as a (small) hammer. With the cutting pliers, I have more control then my previous technique- a regular sized hammer. Plus, for traveling purposes, the pliers weigh a lot less than a hammer.

Be sure to use saftey glasses.

BTW, PCGS uses a high speed saw to remove coins from slabs.

Baley

less than a minute, beginning to end.

GoldCoinLover

<< <i>







less than a minute, beginning to end. >>



I like your method the best. I'm going to use my vice to crack out my 1913 sovereign and send it into PCGS to see if it get's BB'd.

Baley

I'm going to use my vice to crack out my 1913 sovereign and send it into PCGS

Cool! Then you can update your website and tell us all about it!

trozau

<< <i>I like your method the best. I'm going to use my vice to crack out my 1913 sovereign and send it into PCGS to see if it get's BB'd. >>


What's your point?

fountainheadgold

vise works best

TonedCoinTrader

<<I'm going to use my vice to crack out my 1913 sovereign and send it into PCGS>>

GCL didn't you Just pay to get your sovereign reslabed by ANACS recently?

GoldCoinLover

<< <i><<<EM>I'm going to use my vice to crack out my 1913 sovereign and send it into PCGS>><EM>

GCL didn't you Just pay to get your sovereign reslabed by ANACS recently? >>



yep. I just hope it's going to upgrade to PCGS or NGC if PCGS doesn't grade it well.

1907Quarter

Hey Baley-
I might try that vice setup on something other than coin slab crack-outs!

RYK

yep. I just hope it's going to upgrade to PCGS or NGC if PCGS doesn't grade it well.

Spend your money as you wish. With all the money you are willing to commit on the slabbing process of the sov, you could easily buy another one.

grayroads

grayroads

Baley,
Great photos; they really make the whole process very easy to understand. Much appreciated. Grayroads

ksteelheader

I use the wooden jaws on my woodworking bench and hacksaw 3 sides off and pull it apart.....Ken