What is best way to crack open plastic holders ?

GTS

Can anybody tell me the safest way to crack open a PCGS holder. I have had an ACG holder actually fall apart on its own, but the PCGS holder looks pretty well constructed.I have always imagined putting it sideways in a vice but am a little worried about bending the coin as i collect large double eagles.Any advice would help as i have a few possible upgrades.
GTS

itsnotjustme

I use a hack saw to cut off the top, below the lable. Keep a safe separation from the coin. Then use a flat head screw drive to pry the halves apart. Can be hard, breaking several times. If needed, also saw the bottom off. (I suppose you could saw all 4 sides.)

Double Eagles don't leave much spare ground!

08HALA20

I use a pair of wire cutters and cut off the corner of the slab at the top near the label.
First I cover it with a dish towel to trap the flying debri. Then i also use a screwdriver to pry open the plastic.
Never had any problems.

Joe

tlhoy

carl

That question appears almost as often as how to clean coins. There has been many suggestions and some actually work. I just put the things in a vice and start breaking of pieces at the top, bottom and then the sides. I do it in the garage due to the flying pieces of plastic. I've tried cutting off the top with a saber saw or a reciprocating type sawsall but that take to long to get it out, put in the blade, plug it in, etc and then putting it all away. If you use an electric saw, use a metal cutting blade and move fast or the plastic will heat up and reseal.

tmot99

I use tin snips or wire cutters and start at a bottom corner. Once you break into the plastic, the snips cut pretty easily around the internal coin holder. THat first snip is really hard. As others have mentioned, be careful of flying plastic. I wrap it in a dish towel. I first used a plastic bag, but the holder went flying right through it.

WaterSport

Big "C" clamp

WS

flaminio

Jdurg

I wrap the holder in a towel and then using a sharp Chisel I shicesl off the corners of the holder. I then take the edge of the chisel and put in the little gap that forms and just pry the two halves apart.