What's the best way to remove a coin from a PCGS holder?

bigole

I have a coin I'd like to remove. I don't want to just whack it with a hammer.................

Anyone out there with good advice based on experience?

Thanks.

notwilight

If you want to control the evolution more carefully than fracturing, a bandsaw works well. That is what I use. --jerry

BAJJERFAN

Very carefully!

A pair of these. One snip halfway up [or down] on one side.

djm

I just place the edge on a hard surcace whack it with a hammer on the 4 edges and it peels apart very nicely.

steveben

i have tried many methods...using a hammer is the best. wrap the slab in a towel and hit it on a hard surface with hammer on one of the corners. the entire slab will crack apart. don't worry, just carefully unwrap the towel and remove the pieces. sawing and clipping it is not a good idea because pieces can go flying around.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YzeB0a_B9U

joeykoins

Why don't you ask China,they do it without damaging the slab,they are pro's at this,If you know what I mean?

USMoneylover

<< <i>If you want to control the evolution more carefully than fracturing, a bandsaw works well. That is what I use. --jerry >>



Agreed, this is my method as well.

Cameonut

<< <i>Very carefully!

A pair of these. One snip halfway up [or down] on one side.

>>



This is what I use and have also observed these being used at major shows. Just one snip at 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock on the slab insert and you should be able to remove the insert from the shells. Takes about two seconds. Be sure to cover the slab and nippers with a cloth just in case a shard goes flying. This has never happened to me, but I don't take the chance.

Sonorandesertrat

I also use a pair of snippers like what Bajjerfan showed. Be sure not to touch the obv/rev of the coin with your fingers.

CoinRaritiesOnline

STOP! Do not do this without practicing first on a cheap coin or some other sample slab of no value.

phnatacc

Yup. I'm in the bolt cutters camp. I use plain-jane 18" cutters. Never requires more than one snip on either side at tap dead vertical center of the coin.

RichieURich

I have always believed that the best way to remove a coin from a PCGS holder is to convince a dealer that the coin will upgrade!

lkeigwin

DIMEMAN

First - why would you want to do this!!!!!??????

Second - I never would use the snip method or anything that runs cracks and slivers over the coin.

Band saw is the best, but I don't have a band saw so I use a table saw. That way I have COMPLETE control over damage!!

SoCalBigMark

Yup, tile nippers are the best, I know as coin collectors we want to to overdo everything, heck some dealers use a chair!

Rodebaugh

Bolt cutters +1

1Bustcollector

Any one will do but: I prefer diagonal cut pliers or side cutters. This style actually produces a "cutting" action as opposed to a "pinching" action from most of the others pictured. I have cut many......it's a cleaner and a bit safer cut!

Type2

Tile nipers work the best.

MacCrimmon

Nippers!

She opens like a Zippo lighter.......

DorkGirl

A vise works well too.

PerryHall

<< <i>A vise works well too. >>



Agree with Becky. Wrap the slab in a towel to prevent any sharp plastic shrapnel from flying out. Tighten the vice very slowly until you hear the slab crack and then rotate the slab 90 degrees and repeat.

braddick

Currently the best way to remove coins from PCGS slabs is to mail them to the Anaheim post office.

bigole

Thanks for the all the tips! I'll give it a try tonight with the tile nipper, I have one of those.

It's a First Spouse gold coin, so I don't want to mess it up. I've got a sample slab I'll try out first.

PerryHall

<< <i>Currently the best way to remove coins from PCGS slabs is to mail them to the Anaheim post office.
>>

Dkillett

I use a dremel tool with a cutting blade. Go around the edges then use a large flat tip screwdriver to pry the halves apart. Always works well for me.

OPA

Is PCGS still paying 50 cents for each cracked out label?

lcoopie

put in towel and squeeze in vise

isn't that one way?

Zrider

<< <i>Is PCGS still paying 50 cents for each cracked out label? >>


probably ..w/16.95 shipping 8.00 service fee

magikbilly

keep it out of the thing in the first place!

Eric

jayPem

just whack it with a hammer.

joeykoins

Cracking out our hosts product so openly online on our hosts show,is this wise to do?Why,would you crack out a PCGS anyway? Like asked earlier.PCGS slabs are the BEST!!!

BAJJERFAN

<< <i> >>



THIS!!

DIMEMAN

>>>Why,would you crack out a PCGS anyway? Like asked earlier.PCGS slabs are the BEST!!!<<<

+1


The only reason my coins EVER are taken out of a PCGS slab are:

1) Reholder due to variety submission.

2) Reholder due to being in a rattler holder...can't stand them.

Both of these are done by the host.

bigole

In case anyone is interested,

SUCCESS!!!!

The tile nippers worked great. I held the bottom half of the slab with a towel, and I popped the slab at about 2 pm on the right side (a little above center line) and 10pm on the left. I got a clean crack straight across the slab.

Then I just opened the bottom and pulled out the coin holder (hadn't seen one before).

Took about 30 seconds because I was trying to be careful (It was a First Spouse gold coin that I submitted and came back MS67). I didn't practice on a cheap coin like I probably should have.

Thanks for all the expert advice.

giantsfan20

Has anybody ever asked how PCGS removes the coins to reholder them? Do they have a special machine or some other method to break the holder easily. I could not imagine them using the metods discussed considered the value and risk of damage to coins along with being time consuming as well.

PerryHall

<< <i>Has anybody ever asked how PCGS removes the coins to reholder them? Do they have a special machine or some other method to break the holder easily. I could not imagine them using the metods discussed considered the value and risk of damage to coins along with being time consuming as well. >>



I read that PCGS uses a band saw.