Crackout Nachos

Danegeld

Here is a story for ya. Several months ago I'd bought a really nice 1824 Half Dollar and as a bonus it had been graded by PCI. I paid like $65 for it in certified VF30 shape. When it arrived the holder looked crappy, like somebody had rubbed it with alcohol and smudged the plastic. I wanted the coin out the moment I saw it.

I've never cracked a coin out of a holder before and having a couple of beers I decided to "FREE THAT BABY UP" and quick. I grabbed a pair of vice grips and a hammer and got at it not fully preparing my work area as a former Future Farmer Of America would have, LOL. Needless to say those shards of plastic and glass (from the glass of beer on the counter) flew all over the dining room and kitchen. The wife had made some taco meat & beans and it was sitting on the counter just off the stove. I really thought I'd gotten it all cleaned up and covered the mess so nobody would know I'd made a bigass mess and finally found the half (It had rolled off) under the stove.

The old lady came in from outside and we settled on the couch to watch some TV. It was at that moment she loudly proclaimed what the %$#* is this, GLASS? As a concerned husband I swiftly prepared her another plate (really just picked out the big chunk of plastic) and added some more sour cream and tomatoes. I returned it to her no problem, "it musta fallen from the cabinet when I chipped a plastic cup earlier in the afternoon..." No one was the wiser.

The half is taking up much less space now in a cigar box with the 2X2 flip than it would have had it been in the plastic holder and next time I'll use a different method. Any suggestions?

Take Care
Ben

billboat

I use Wiss metalsnips and crack from the side top edge--I've never had much difficulty except with ANACS holders, which take an extra snip or two--and I never cut near the coin. Many say a vise is best--regardless--always do it over a towel or other soft surface.

MikeInFL

I use an old towel and a hammer. Wrap the slab in the towel (to prevent, gasp, plastic shards). Lay the slab on its long edge on the floor and whack it on the half of the slab that doesn't have the coin in it. The first one is scary but afterwards it's not hard. FWIW, PCGS slabs take the most force, and ANACS require the least. NGC is in the middle...Mike