Home› U.S. Coin Forum
Options

How can a coin be "straightened" in a holder?

ahopewell55ahopewell55 Posts: 276 ✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I have a nice Au-55 1856-S Double Eagle with original surfaces in a PCGS standard holder. I believe it has only been holdered for a couple of years. It's not an old holder.
But over this brief time the coin has moved so that it's on about a 45 degree angle from where it should be. Other than re-holdering, is there a safe way to move it back to its original position?
I don't want to knock it around, and I know it doesn't affect its value in anyway. It's just an eye appeal thing. I would post pictures but I'm not techie enough. I'll have to wait for my son to do it for me. Thanks for your advice.

Comments

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,797 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Coins sometime rotate in their holders. Usually you can tap the corner on a wooden table and rotate it back without hurting the slab.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • erwindocerwindoc Posts: 5,274 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome to the forum!

    I have had small successes with gently tapping a corner of the holder. It takes time, but the coin I had did eventually turn around.
  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,851 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've had the best luck with putting the coin in the freezer for a while and then using an electric toothbrush on one edge.
  • JJMJJM Posts: 8,089 ✭✭✭✭✭
    yeah, what they said, but put down a few layers of paper towels
    or something so you do chip the slab
    👍BST's erickso1,cone10,MICHAELDIXON,TennesseeDave,p8nt,jmdm1194,RWW,robkool,Ahrensdad,Timbuk3,Downtown1974,bigjpst,mustanggt,Yorkshireman,idratherbgardening,SurfinxHI,derryb,masscrew,Walkerguy21D,MJ1927,sniocsu,Coll3tor,doubleeagle07,luciobar1980,PerryHall,SNMAM,mbcoin,liefgold,keyman64,maprince230,TorinoCobra71,RB1026,Weiss,LukeMarshall,Wingsrule,Silveryfire, pointfivezero,IKE1964,AL410, Tdec1000, AnkurJ,guitarwes,Type2,Bp777,jfoot113,JWP,mattniss,dantheman984,jclovescoins,Collectorcoins,Weather11am,Namvet69,kansasman,Bruce7789,ADG,Larrob37,Waverly, justindan
  • LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭
    .
    here we go again, bang bang bang baby
    .

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

  • joeykoinsjoeykoins Posts: 17,469 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hi, image to school !image

    "Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!

    --- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,797 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I've had the best luck with putting the coin in the freezer for a while and then using an electric toothbrush on one edge. >>



    Never heard of that one before. I'd be concerned with water condensation on the coin causing spots.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • GRANDAMGRANDAM Posts: 8,742 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Tap the edge of the holder on the seam in the direction that you want the coin to rotate.

    image
    image
    image
    image
    image

    GrandAm image
    GrandAm :)
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My personal experience with this is that while the tapping works, the coin eventually may move again. I have one particular Type I gold dollar that is in a different orientation in the holder every time I visit with it.
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>My personal experience with this is that while the tapping works, the coin eventually may move again. I have one particular Type I gold dollar that is in a different orientation in the holder every time I visit with it. >>



    do you think this is caused by orbital wobble? a scientific theory that the earth wobbles from all the crap we're pulling up to the surface?

    works with anything round and rotating image
    .

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

  • GRANDAMGRANDAM Posts: 8,742 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The guy in the linked U-Tube Video got really carried away,,,,, it generally doesn't take near that much banging to move the coin to the correct position in the holder.
    GrandAm :)
  • ambro51ambro51 Posts: 13,941 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Drill a hole in the front of the slab and move the coin with a dental pick. Squirt some crazy glue in then and the coin won't rotate.
  • BaronVonBaughBaronVonBaugh Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>My personal experience with this is that while the tapping works, the coin eventually may move again. I have one particular Type I gold dollar that is in a different orientation in the holder every time I visit with it. >>



    It's just trying to find it's way out of the cage.
    image
    1938-64_Jefferson_Nickel_Proofs
  • RB1026RB1026 Posts: 1,478 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>My personal experience with this is that while the tapping works, the coin eventually may move again. I have one particular Type I gold dollar that is in a different orientation in the holder every time I visit with it. >>



    That's really interesting to me as I have one coin that does the exact same thing (Sac $ in pre-3 prong PCGS blue label holder). I can always return it to its correct position with some light table tapping but invariably it will move slightly again. It's the only one in the box that does it. It's weird for sure!

    To the OP, I've had generally good success over the years with tapping but there have been a couple instances where it flat out didn't work. If you get to the point where you're beating it to death you'd be better off going for a reholder or leaving it alone before you chance wrecking the slab or damaging the coin.

    Good luck. I get it. A little OCD goes a long way and it is strange how annoying a crooked coin in the slab can be. I have to straighten all the picture frames in a room too image
  • magikbillymagikbilly Posts: 6,780 ✭
    Turn your hand. A good reminder to view from all angles any purchase.

    Eric
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>.
    here we go again, bang bang bang baby
    . >>

    That video certainly spells out what to do but I do not believe that folks will want to treat their slabs like that fella did!

    For me, I hold the slab by the corner and strike it with more of a vertical attitude so that the slab is at about 30 degrees instead of 90 degrees when it contacts the paper. After the first 4 or 5 solid strikes, if there is no movement, I'll just stop since it's pointless in getting the coin to rotate if you end up damaging the slab.

    Typically, larger coins such as Dollars, more easier than smaller coins such as small cents.

    The OP's coin should rotate relatively easy
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • KoveKove Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I've had the best luck with putting the coin in the freezer for a while and then using an electric toothbrush on one edge. >>



    Never heard of that one before. I'd be concerned with water condensation on the coin causing spots. >>



    Using a Sonicare electric toothbrush works great, without banging the holder on anything. If the coin won't rotate at first, freezing it usually works.

    Freezing a slab causes no condensation, at least no more than happens when you ship a coin and it goes in the cargo hold of an airplane, or when the USPS truck or FedEx truck spends all day driving around in the cold, or when the mail lady puts it in your locked mailbox outside. Coins in slabs get cold all the time, especially during shipment..
  • WoodenJeffersonWoodenJefferson Posts: 6,491 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Drill a hole in the front of the slab and move the coin with a dental pick. Squirt some crazy glue in then and the coin won't rotate. >>



    I did this once rolling back a cars odometer.

    I do not know how coins rotate in the holders that are left static. Poltergeists maybe?
    Chat Board Lingo

    "Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭


    << <i>My personal experience with this is that while the tapping works, the coin eventually may move again. I have one particular Type I gold dollar that is in a different orientation in the holder every time I visit with it. >>



    ...it may be trying to get out!! image

    ...OOPS! i see Robert sorta said that.
    "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
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome aboard ahopewell55, Tapping usually does it in my experience. Cheers, RickO
  • BuzzybestBuzzybest Posts: 932


    << <i>Drill a hole in the front of the slab and move the coin with a dental pick. Squirt some crazy glue in then and the coin won't rotate. >>



    WOW! The Earth wobble theory really does effect the thinking of some posters here. Drill baby drill!
  • ahopewell55ahopewell55 Posts: 276 ✭✭
    Thank you all for your advice. I just tried it and it worked. I put a hand towel over a paperback book to lessen the impact. Then I taped the edge that was getting hit. It took a while to get the initial move, but then it went quickly. Looks great . Hope it stays there. Thanks again.
  • RodebaughRodebaugh Posts: 304 ✭✭✭


    << <i>.
    here we go again, bang bang bang baby
    . >>



    Thanks for the laugh!
  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 14,010 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Is this method also effective with the new PCGS prong holders?
    When in doubt, don't.
  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Is this method also effective with the new PCGS prong holders? >>



    I have tapped the corners of several of the new holders to get them aligned for imaging. In fact the problem of rotation seems to be more common with the new edge-view holders than it was before.
    My Current project....https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/160794
  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 14,010 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It seems to be a lot more common... and I just can't seem to get any of them to budge (Morgans).
    When in doubt, don't.
  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Mine were half dollars and in a few cases I had to run then around the clock as they only wanted to move in one direction.
    My Current project....https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/160794
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,552 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>.
    here we go again, bang bang bang baby
    . >>



    Thanks for the laugh! >>



    Laugh ? I need adult diapers.

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

  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,484 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It appears the insert contracts and expands depending on the weather. And one should try correcting the problem depending on the weather. image

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭

    .
    ttt - old thread
    .

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A good laugh in there... earth wobble.... :D Cheers, RickO

  • WingedLiberty1957WingedLiberty1957 Posts: 2,992 ✭✭✭✭✭

    ultrasonic toothbrush also works well ... just touch it to a corner

    My Coin Blog
    My Toned Lincoln Registry Set

  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,893 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I posted this a while back. Last week I straightened a bust half in a new prong holder. Your success will vary.
    Lance.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lcw3byWxrA
    Coin Photography Services / Everyman Registry set / BHNC #213
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,255 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Why not leave it as is since it will likely rotate back. Also you risk abrasion damage to the coin's rims by constantly rotating it.

    theknowitalltroll;
  • ModCrewmanModCrewman Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 28, 2017 2:31PM

    Here is my all-time favorite method of correcting a coin rotation: YouTube Coin Rotation Video

    (And I try to never pass on an opportunity to share it.)

    Edit: Shoot...I see someone beat me to it in this thread. (probably where I saw it the first time around)

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 ...