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Can You Crack a Slab With Your Bare Hands?

CoinosaurusCoinosaurus Posts: 9,645 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I did, but it was one of those big oblong slabs with a medal in it image

Not very hard, actually.
Newman Numismatic Portal, www.NewmanPortal.org

Comments

  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭
    ANACS, easy. PCGS/NGC - you're likely to slice your hand open!
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    new anacs sometimes fall apart by themselves

    at the other end of the spectrum, SEGS slabs are probably impossible for anyone to break with their bare hands.

    the rest fall between, depending on the strength of the hands doing the trying.

    I use bench vice and/or parallel cutters depending on the brand

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • Tdec1000Tdec1000 Posts: 3,852 ✭✭✭
    That's too funny because I did just that the other day with a pcgs slab. Probably should have gotten stiches too.

    Pcgs slabs 1.

    Tom 0
    Awarded the coveted "You Suck" Award on 22 Oct 2010 for finding a 1942/1 D Dime in silver, and on 7 Feb 2011 Cherrypicking a 1914 MPL Cent on Ebay!

    Successful BST Transactions!SIconbuster, Meltdown, Mission16, slothman2000, RGjohn, braddick, au58lover, allcoinsrule, commemdude, gerard, lablade, PCcoins, greencopper, kaz, tydye, cucamongacoin, mkman123, SeaEaglecoins, Doh!, AnkurJ, Airplanenut, ArizonaJack, JJM,Tee135,LordMarcovan, Swampboy, piecesofme, Ahrensdad,
  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 14,010 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Blue ANACS slabs that were quickly re-engineered... yes indeed.
    Yellow ANACS slabs... maybe.
    Everything else... you go first, but please let me watch.
    When in doubt, don't.
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I got a mean paper cut trying to tear a phone book in half... I'll pass on trying a slab! image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • Dennis88Dennis88 Posts: 5,797 ✭✭✭
    Can I throw them on a concrete floor?

    image

    Try ICG slabs. Those are absolutely awful (speaking of recent experience).

    PCGS are ok if you have patience and just use an object to hit the edges.

    At the Sacramento show I heard someone from PCGS saying that our hosts only have one person who cracks out slabs. Talk about a big pressure on you! Can you imagine ruining a $100K coin in the process?

    I was nervous enough when I cracked out a $1500 coin the other day.

    Dennis
    VOC Numismatics
    Like VOC Numismatics on facebook
  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I understood that PCGS uses a band saw to open slabs no cracking involved.
    image
    My Current project....https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/160794
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Can I throw them on a concrete floor? >>



    I've seen that done with a 4 figure coin at a show! image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • Billet7Billet7 Posts: 4,923 ✭✭✭
    Just like ripping a phone book in half...just takes some patience!
  • BigEBigE Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I understood that PCGS uses a band saw to open slabs no cracking involved.
    image >>




    This is by far the easiest and safest way, especially if you rest the slab against a safety guard. Many times I have noticed little tiny pieces of plastic inside slabbed coins , look like grains of salt----BigE
    I'm glad I am a Tree
  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Can I throw them on a concrete floor? >>



    I've seen that done with a 4 figure coin at a show! image >>


    A number of years ago, Mr. Eureka did that with a 5 figure coin of mine!
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>A number of years ago, Mr. Eureka did that with a 5 figure coin of mine! >>



    My heart stopped beating for a second as I watched! image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • rare1rare1 Posts: 47 ✭✭
    after i eats me spinach!
  • ModCrewmanModCrewman Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm pretty sure all one needs is a sheet of paper and a table top. image
  • JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>new anacs sometimes fall apart by themselves

    at the other end of the spectrum, SEGS slabs are probably impossible for anyone to break with their bare hands.

    the rest fall between, depending on the strength of the hands doing the trying.

    I use bench vice and/or parallel cutters depending on the brand >>



    I almost got road rage last time I cracked a SEGS slab. I was really whacking it with a 16 oz hammer and it was winning.
    And I think if you yell loud enough at a new ANACS slab it will fall apart all by itself.
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • RichieURichRichieURich Posts: 8,553 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Can I throw them on a concrete floor? image >>



    Someone at a table across from us at Baltimore was doing just that, and my wife said to me, "That woman's very clumsy - - she's been dropping a lot of slabbed coins!" imageimage

    An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.

  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I almost got road rage last time I cracked a SEGS slab. I was really whacking it with a 16 oz hammer and it was winning.

    You want to cut an SEGS slab rather than try to break it. ICG too.

    I would never try to use a hammer or a hand controlled throw, no matter the value of the coin.

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • Jinx86Jinx86 Posts: 3,710 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Just the other day I picked up a blue Anacs slab, holding it with one hand at the top and other at the bottom and gave it a slight twist in the light and BAM!....MS Barber flys....My stomach sinks
  • FrankcoinsFrankcoins Posts: 4,571 ✭✭✭


    << <i>ANACS, easy. >>



    I just opened the padded mailer...

    image
    Frank Provasek - PCGS Authorized Dealer, Life Member ANA, Member TNA. www.frankcoins.com
  • mrearlygoldmrearlygold Posts: 17,858 ✭✭✭
    Bare hands? What a wuss

    Did this SEGS holder with my fingers


    image

    image

    See? Easy as pie image

    image


    Coin's for sale/trade.


    Tom Pilitowski
    US Rare Coin Investments
    800-624-1870

  • orevilleoreville Posts: 12,145 ✭✭✭✭✭
    mrearlygold: did you wash your hands and scrub your fingernails beforehand?image
    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • STONESTONE Posts: 15,275 ✭
    Last week I opened a NCS holder with a Bust Dime inside with my bare-hands!
    Took some effort, but wasn't too difficult.

    I really don't have much experience cracking open slabs
  • pontiacinfpontiacinf Posts: 8,915 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Can I throw them on a concrete floor? image >>



    Someone at a table across from us at Baltimore was doing just that, and my wife said to me, "That woman's very clumsy - - she's been dropping a lot of slabbed coins!" imageimage >>



    richie that rocked!
    image

    Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,419 ✭✭✭✭✭
    << Can I throw them on a concrete floor? >>


    < A number of years ago, Mr. Eureka did that with a 5 figure coin of mine! >


    My heart stopped beating for a second as I watched!


    I did not throw the coin on the floor, nor do I ever. Instead, I slam the slab on the concrete floor like taffy. Works like a charm! Most of the time, anyway.


    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • TevaTeva Posts: 830 ✭
    I do it with my bare hands and my dremel tool and a carbide diskimage
    Give the laziest man the toughest job and he will find the easiest way to get it done.
  • robkoolrobkool Posts: 5,934 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I can do that all day long with those anacs flimsy blue label slabbed coins...
    Ebay items for sale Current BIN's / The Kingdom Collection
  • mrearlygoldmrearlygold Posts: 17,858 ✭✭✭
    It takes great concentration image

    Coin's for sale/trade.


    Tom Pilitowski
    US Rare Coin Investments
    800-624-1870

  • RayboRaybo Posts: 5,339 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have never tried, should I?

    I'm guessing I have them all........................(bulking up as I write this)
  • FrankiefanaticFrankiefanatic Posts: 325
    All this macho talk on popping slabs open

    be wise save your energy for the real strenuous stuff in life like fishing or chess.

    use a 6" vice with a nice cloth bath towel or wash cloth from your linen closet and squeeze that sucker til you hear the first 'pop'! one more turn of the handle and whalla cracked slab with very little energy used.

    image
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,605 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think the ANA has a slab cracking class.

    ``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5

  • georgiacop50georgiacop50 Posts: 2,909 ✭✭✭✭
    Oh great! Another slab-cracking thread!

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