Need HELP - Update on Cracking out of holder

AbesNeighbor

I need help. I have a Morgan $ that bought pretty inexpensively and it is in an ANACS holder graded MS66. It is a common date. The problem is this crud or tarnish on the coin that must have developed while in the holder. I want to crack it and dip it, just as much for the experimental value as trying to rescue the coin. I'm not worried too much if I ruin the coin, although that is not the plan. I have ordered the "Dipping" supplies, but, I need help in cracking it out of the holder.

Does someone know of a way of doing this without the risk of sending the coin flying around the room?

Thanks,

Dan

MICHAELDIXON

Use a vise and tighten it until it cracks and then use a thin blade and pop it apart.

lordmarcovan

Just put the coin in a vise, or if you don't have one, hold it firmly on the edge of a table or countertop. You'll hold it by pressing down on the area where the coin is, so your hand covers the coin. Leave the top part of the slab (the part with the label) hanging off the edge of the table. Then take a hammer and knock the top of the slab off. Unless your aim is really bad, you won't risk damaging the coin, since your hand will be on top of it. Beware of flying plastic shards, though. It's best to wear glasses or goggles when doing this.

Mind you, this is probably the least sophisticated crackout technique there is. Other folks have it down to a much tidier science. But my old "whack the top off the slab" technique worked fine for me, until I refined it. Now I have a different method to break the top off a slab.

What I do now is take the slab outside to the deck, stick the top (label) part between two of the boards, and gently press down with my foot. Crrrack. Works like a charm. It's fast and you don't have to worry about flying splinters that way, either. It sounds a bit harsh, I know. But it's not like your stomping on the coin, or anything. You're simply breaking the top part with the label in it away from the rest of the slab. Usually the coin will remain encased in plastic, but after you've cracked the top of the slab off, you can gently pry the remaining halves apart.

CarlWohlforth

Why not practice on some cheaper coin. Say a silver Roosey or something like that?

itsnotjustme

I use a hack saw to cut it across between the coin and labble. Then a small screw driver to pry the halves apart.

AbesNeighbor

Thanks for the help. Carl I will probably do what you suggest. I will take a picture of the coin tonight for your review and comment, then, I will take a picture after the coin has been "Fixed". I hope the fix is postive.

ms70

For ANACS I put it in a vice with the coin below the jaws. Then I hacksaw three sides off, rotating the slab for each cut while making sure
the coin doesn't slip out. The hacksaw goes through almost effortlessly.

Robgetty

I have always liked putting the slab in a vise and using a dremel tool to cut open the slab.
(When I was cracking coins for my Dansco album type set.)

LucyBop

a simple hammer always works to crack a slab.

Myqqy

I would love to see the "tarnish" on a anacs 66 morgan before you "fix" it........ Are you a blast-white only collector?

relayer

ALWAYS wear eye protection - you'll understand why once a chard of plastic flies up and hits you in the face.

UncleWiggly

<< <i>For ANACS I put it in a vice with the coin below the jaws. Then I hacksaw three sides off, rotating the slab for each cut while making sure
the coin doesn't slip out. The hacksaw goes through almost effortlessly. >>



I've done this with all slabs with good results. But now I use a dremel tool.


Jerry

granddad

If you plan to clean it, just drop a brick on it. You can't do it any more harm than you already intend to. My advice would be to post a pic here before you do anything.

Have a Great Day!
Louis

morgannut2

I use a pair large pair of bolt cutters and a vise to open holders with coins that have dip reside left on them. Naturally tarnished coins of course a worth much more left alone so I just leave them that way.

Boom

Simple actually. Place in the vice and tighten slowly until you hear it crack. Turn 90 degrees and repeat. Do this nice and slowly until you can just slip a screwdriver into the seam and turn the screwdriver. It will just pop right open....No problem!

AbesNeighbor

Last night, I retrieved the Morgan (1881-S ANACS MS66), read your posts, and have almost decided not to crack it out. The coin kind of grows on you as you look at it.

I don't have the ability to post pictures, but I took some last night if someone would be kind enough to post them for me I would appreciate it. The coin has mirrors but I'm not sure they would be considered deep mirrors. It has an exceptional strike, but is a very common coin.

Thanks,

Dan