Easiest way to crack a PCGS Slab...

PatchFanatic

Ship it in a plain white envelope wrapped in that sticky cardboard stuff. Just received a PCGS 1967 MS66CAM SMS Kennedy Half from an ebay seller like this... The slab was completely broken in half. Shipping was $3.50.

wheatguy

If you're referring to a T-Mailer, they aren't that bad. Paying $.50 for shipping, the slab being broken, and being shipped in a normal envelope isn't.

MsMorrisine

<< <i>Ship it in a plain white envelope wrapped in that sticky cardboard stuff. Just received a PCGS 1967 MS66CAM SMS Kennedy Half from an ebay seller like this... The slab was completely broken in half. Shipping was $3.50. >>






How's the patient? (the coin)

TomB

The self adhesive cardboard interior mailer is fine, but the slab was likely damaged by going through some rollers within the USPS system.

PatchFanatic

Luckily it was insured and has Fragile: Please handle with care, Please do not bend and non machinable stamped on it.

The coin seems untouched.

BaseballAbs

I am glad the coin is in still good shape. Collect some insurance on it. You might come out okay with out too much harm.

Griv

Actually, my method is to use a dull diagonal cutter and snip at an angle 1/3 the way down or just below the top of the coin. Then an additional snip at the bottom center and the coin is free. Clip, clip and it's over in 2 seconds. I've done this hundreds of times and never damaged a single coin. Just wear eye protection.

robkool

Thats what bubbled mailer envelopes are for...

pmac

<< <i>Actually, my method is to use a dull diagonal cutter and snip at an angle 1/3 the way down or just below the top of the coin. Then an additional snip at the bottom center and the coin is free. Clip, clip and it's over in 2 seconds. I've done this hundreds of times and never damaged a single coin. Just wear eye protection. >>


There was a great thread with a video attached that showed someone who used bolt cutters like you to.

DennisH

I stopped mailing coins in #10 envelopes, no matter what else they're wrapped in, long ago because those pieces of mail go through machines that have what I call "rollers of death". Now I only ship in either oversize envelopes or boxes.

shorecoll

For opening slabs I recommend putting them on a concrete slab and hitting them with a 16# sledgehammer. Oh..you're trying to get the coin out undamaged? Nevermind!!!

LindeDad

I shipped the one I got like that right back to the sender. Postal insurance does not cover improper packing of items. Number ten envelopes are good for letters only nothing else.

Walmann

Place in range of a two-year-old's reach.

devious

Mailing coins parcel post will resolve these issues. I've discussed it with clerks from four different USPS locations here in Minnesota. Each one said the same thing. To avoid the sorting machine issue, parcel post even the smallest of slab envelopes.

GRANDAM

Here is the easiest and most effective way to free a coin from a PCGS Slab.



However it will not work on NGC or ANACS Slabs do to a different type of plastic.

GrandAm

LRCTom

I used to ship slabbed coins in Safe-T-Mailers, which I think is what you're referring to. But on two occasions, the slabs were broken in transit, just as yours was. The automated machinery the P.O. uses is pretty rough. So now I always pack slabbed coins in boxes. I still use Safe-T-Mailers for raw coins.

lkeigwin

<< <i>

<< <i>Actually, my method is to use a dull diagonal cutter and snip at an angle 1/3 the way down or just below the top of the coin. Then an additional snip at the bottom center and the coin is free. Clip, clip and it's over in 2 seconds. I've done this hundreds of times and never damaged a single coin. Just wear eye protection. >>


There was a great thread with a video attached that showed someone who used bolt cutters like you to. >>

Yes! I use this method and it works superbly for PCGS holders. It's less efficient with NGC and ANACS holders but still does the job.
Lance.

mozeppa

chucknra

Is the big news? Solid steel slabs so coins can't be cracked out? The new term would be torched!

ziggy29

The easiest ways to crack slabs often have the unfortunate side effect of ruining the coin...