Home› U.S. Coin Forum

Someone please help...my coins are stuck and I can't get 'em out!!!! YEAH...THEY'RE FREE... thanks t

SeaEagleCoinsSeaEagleCoins Posts: 3,262 ✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I just purchased two BU rolls of Jeffersons... 46-S and 49-S put away in old plastic tubes...part of an old collection...

Apparently these coins were put in the tubes A LONG time ago...it took a while but I managed to remove the caps...but the coins are jammed in the tube and I can't get them out...absolutely no movement...

I'm thinking of sticking the tubes in the freezer to see if that might help...but I don't know...

Has anyone had this experience? What to do???

And...no...this is not time for a hammer...based on the end coins I do not want to risk damaging any... one of the end coins looks like a Full Step...

Please help...

Thank you...
Re: Slabbed coins - There are some coins that LIVE within clear plastic and wear their labels with pride... while there are others that HIDE behind scratched plastic and are simply dragged along by a label. Then there are those coins that simply hang out, naked and free image

Comments

  • tightbudgettightbudget Posts: 7,299 ✭✭✭
    Press your thumb really hard at the end of the tube. That's what I do to Tic-Tacs when two of them get stuck to the side.
  • SilverEagles92SilverEagles92 Posts: 6,787 ✭
    What kind of tubes? Are they the hard clear plastic tubes, or the soft frosted plastic tubes?
    image
    To support LordM's European Trip, click here!
  • DUIGUYDUIGUY Posts: 7,252 ✭✭✭
    Place tubes in the sunlight for about two or three beers. image
    “A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly."



    - Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
  • MrHalfDimeMrHalfDime Posts: 3,440 ✭✭✭✭
    My guess would be that the plastic coin tubes were manufactured by Meghrig, and may be so designated on the bottom. I have experienced this before many times.

    Your idea to place them in the freezer may work. The coefficient of expansion is greater for the metal coins than for the plastic, so they would contract when cold, presumably allowing them to be removed from the tubes. I have done this successfully before. Most other methods would risk damage to the coins, while the freezer method will not.
    They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
  • SeaEagleCoinsSeaEagleCoins Posts: 3,262 ✭


    << <i>My guess would be that the plastic coin tubes were manufactured by Meghrig, and may be so designated on the bottom. I have experienced this before many times.

    Your idea to place them in the freezer may work. The coefficient of expansion is greater for the metal coins than for the plastic, so they would contract when cold, presumably allowing them to be removed from the tubes. I have done this successfully before. Most other methods would risk damage to the coins, while the freezer method will not. >>




    Yes, indeed...Meghrig it is... OK...I'll put 'em in the freezer and let you know how it works out...

    For all the other replies...thank you...

    I don't think the tictac idea would work...might jam 'em in worse...

    I also thought of heat...sunlight...

    I'll try MrHalfDime's idea and let you know... BTW...how long do you think it might take?
    Re: Slabbed coins - There are some coins that LIVE within clear plastic and wear their labels with pride... while there are others that HIDE behind scratched plastic and are simply dragged along by a label. Then there are those coins that simply hang out, naked and free image
  • rgCoinGuyrgCoinGuy Posts: 7,478 ✭
    2 or 3 beers still sounds about right image
    imageQuid pro quo. Yes or no?
  • GoldenEyeNumismaticsGoldenEyeNumismatics Posts: 13,187 ✭✭✭
    I've had that problem a number of times. Put the roll in a vice and hit the end opposite the open side with a hammer. Do it enough times and most of the coins should come out. The remaining few can be a challenge.

    Primitive, I know.... but it works
  • DustyCoinboxDustyCoinbox Posts: 206
    Nothing like cold, hard cash image
    Successful BST purchases from: WaterSport, commoncents123, Hyperion, mozeppa, Mar327, coinlieutenant, Placid, MFH, fishteeth, FilthyBroke, SilverEagles92, illini420, barberman55, pcgs69 (2x) & 123cents

    History of the US Constitution Coin Set
  • tresgatostresgatos Posts: 531 ✭
    well I had the same problem with a roll of mixed Jefferson/Buffalo nickels
    and I guess I went the opposite route as I placed the roll in very hot water
    and the coins just kind of fell out. They don't seem any worse for the wear.
    My plan B was to heat the roll with a heat gun ( the kind for removing paint).
    Good luck.
    molon labe
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭


    i'm wondering if there is a concern for condensation? coins don't like moisture.image
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,928 ✭✭✭✭✭
    People have suggested dozens of times here to freeze them but no one has come
    back to let us know if it works or not.

    I put them in a vice and use a hacksaw. You have to be careful to stop before you
    hit the coins though. Finish it off with pliers.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • SeaEagleCoinsSeaEagleCoins Posts: 3,262 ✭
    Weeeellllll... I tried the freezer...got 'em cold enough for Jefferson's ...image ... to get ... image

    Still nothing...

    Then tahoe98 got me worried about condensation...

    Sooooo...now I got 'em in the window in the sunlight...

    I guess I could try tresgatos hot water method...

    ohhhhhh...the frustration.....


    image
    Re: Slabbed coins - There are some coins that LIVE within clear plastic and wear their labels with pride... while there are others that HIDE behind scratched plastic and are simply dragged along by a label. Then there are those coins that simply hang out, naked and free image
  • busco69busco69 Posts: 815 ✭✭
    Set them in dry icefor about 15 min. pull them out and gently tap with a hammer the plastic should shatter.
    ''Coin collecting is the only hobby where you can spend all your money and still have some left''
  • rgCoinGuyrgCoinGuy Posts: 7,478 ✭


    << <i>People have suggested dozens of times here to freeze them but no one has come
    back to let us know if it works or not.

    I put them in a vice and use a hacksaw. You have to be careful to stop before you
    hit the coins though. Finish it off with pliers. >>



    Yep, that's actually how I do it too.... I will be curious if any of these other suggestions work though! image
    imageQuid pro quo. Yes or no?
  • beartracks42beartracks42 Posts: 2,834 ✭
    I use my dremel and score the side of the tube vertically a bit at a time and peel it back with a pair of pliers. The tube is thick enough that you can see where you are, depth wise so as not to score the coins. Try it on an old tube if you want but it is fairly easy...if you are patient.image
    Gary
    image
  • dwsswsdwssws Posts: 2,166


    << <i>Place tubes in the sunlight for about two or three beers. image >>



    imageimage
    steve

    myCCset
  • BoomBoom Posts: 10,165 ✭
    Maybe tap on the tube a bit with a hammer, like at the bottom and top corners??

    Hell, if all else fails just sling those boogers up against the brick wall a few times.

    I'm serious.

    Good Luck!
    Boom's Retired Registry Set & Boom's Retired Variety Set
    image
  • SeaEagleCoinsSeaEagleCoins Posts: 3,262 ✭


    << <i>well I had the same problem with a roll of mixed Jefferson/Buffalo nickels
    and I guess I went the opposite route as I placed the roll in very hot water
    and the coins just kind of fell out. They don't seem any worse for the wear.
    My plan B was to heat the roll with a heat gun ( the kind for removing paint).
    Good luck. >>




    The sun went down...so, right now I've got the tubes doing some hot water scuba divingimage
    Re: Slabbed coins - There are some coins that LIVE within clear plastic and wear their labels with pride... while there are others that HIDE behind scratched plastic and are simply dragged along by a label. Then there are those coins that simply hang out, naked and free image
  • SeaEagleCoinsSeaEagleCoins Posts: 3,262 ✭
    Boiled some water...stuck the tubes in the water...waited 15 minutes...with a little banging on the counter...voila...

    Now to see if I got any Full Steps!!! image
    Re: Slabbed coins - There are some coins that LIVE within clear plastic and wear their labels with pride... while there are others that HIDE behind scratched plastic and are simply dragged along by a label. Then there are those coins that simply hang out, naked and free image
  • halfhunterhalfhunter Posts: 2,770 ✭✭✭
    Had a roll of Rosies in a Meghrig tube. Stuck tight. Used salad tongs & dipped them in boiling water for a few seconds. They came right out!

    Warning, results may vary! image

    Regards, John
    Need the following OBW rolls to complete my 46-64 Roosevelt roll set:
    1947-P & D; 1948-D; 1949-P & S; 1950-D & S; and 1952-S.
    Any help locating any of these OBW rolls would be gratefully appreciated!
  • SeaEagleCoinsSeaEagleCoins Posts: 3,262 ✭


    << <i>Had a roll of Rosies in a Meghrig tube. Stuck tight. Used salad tongs & dipped them in boiling water for a few seconds. They came right out!

    Warning, results may vary! image

    Regards, John >>



    Yep...just did that...worked like a charm...
    Re: Slabbed coins - There are some coins that LIVE within clear plastic and wear their labels with pride... while there are others that HIDE behind scratched plastic and are simply dragged along by a label. Then there are those coins that simply hang out, naked and free image
  • dwsswsdwssws Posts: 2,166
    glad to see your ordeal is over!image ( stil say sunlight and a sixpack would have workedimage)
    steve

    myCCset
  • SeaEagleCoinsSeaEagleCoins Posts: 3,262 ✭


    << <i>glad to see your ordeal is over!image ( stil say sunlight and a sixpack would have workedimage) >>




    Maybe so...but after a 6-pack I probably would forget what I was waiting for...image


    Sorry to say...no Full Steps...there were a few that got my heart beating a little...but no dice...a few with a solid 4 steps...a couple with a tease of a 5th...but that's it...

    Still and all...some nice BU rolls...image
    Re: Slabbed coins - There are some coins that LIVE within clear plastic and wear their labels with pride... while there are others that HIDE behind scratched plastic and are simply dragged along by a label. Then there are those coins that simply hang out, naked and free image
  • vplitevplite Posts: 1,385 ✭✭✭
    I've got a similar problem with a BU tube of '57 dimes I bought for melt at a flea market over 20 years ago. I cannot get the cap off of the tube; frozen solid.

    I figure they must be well preserved in the tube since they are all still shinny. I feel pretty confident that if I force the tube open some dimes may be damaged, so since they are really not worth much, I'll just keep them that way.

    I appreciate the tips here if I ever decide to crack them out.
    The Golden Rule: Those with the gold make the rules.

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Format
SpoilerCodeQuote
Heading 2Heading 1
Emoji
:):D:(;):/:o:s:p:'(:|B):#:*<3o:)>:)
Url
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file
Home • U.S. Coin ForumComment As ...