Help! Old coin tube with coins stuck inside

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Vetter
Vetter Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

I can’t even get the top off. Anyone dealt with these old tubes and were able to get the coins out safely?
On a side note. I haven’t seen one of these tubes in over 20 years and they were a pain back then.

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Comments

  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,946 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    1- Freeze.
    2- hammer.

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @RedRocket said:
    1- Freeze.
    2- hammer.

    Dont forget about the freezer part thou 😉

  • TPring
    TPring Posts: 388 ✭✭✭
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    Roto-zip

  • ShaunBC5
    ShaunBC5 Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I think I used pipe wrenches one time (seriously)

  • Coinscratch
    Coinscratch Posts: 11,086 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    This works well. Just wear gloves and/or drink whiskey my neighbor is a genius.

  • pcgsregistrycollector
    pcgsregistrycollector Posts: 2,325 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    What coins are in there?

    Proud follower of Christ! I love the USA! Land of the Bright and Beautiful! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • Goob
    Goob Posts: 577 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @pcgsregistrycollector said:
    What coins are in there?

    Looks to be an entire roll of steel cents

    "Another day, another Collectors Universe forum scrolling session."
    - Someone, probably

  • The_Dinosaur_Man
    The_Dinosaur_Man Posts: 1,594 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    My go-tos have been elbow grease and extra patience.

    I can see the freezer trick working and then tapping, not smashing, with a hammer or mallet over a soft surface.

    Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
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  • LeeBone
    LeeBone Posts: 4,892 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Send them to me, I got ya' ;)

  • Typekat
    Typekat Posts: 732 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Looks like BU steel cents!

    30+ years coin shop experience (ret.) Coins, bullion, currency, scrap & interesting folks. Loved every minute!

  • DesertCoin
    DesertCoin Posts: 482 ✭✭✭
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    @Vetter said:
    Thanks all. The freezer/hammer trick worked. Nice BU roll of 43 steel cents.

    Looking to sell the coins by any chance?

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  • HoledandCreative
    HoledandCreative Posts: 2,890 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Beauties!

  • Typekat
    Typekat Posts: 732 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Maybe you could get a bulk grading deal, with a special label for
    The Shrinky Dink Collection

    30+ years coin shop experience (ret.) Coins, bullion, currency, scrap & interesting folks. Loved every minute!

  • DCW
    DCW Posts: 7,877 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Check for doubled dies!

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • DisneyFan
    DisneyFan Posts: 2,965 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Vetter said:
    Thanks all. The freezer/hammer trick worked. Nice BU roll of 43 steel cents.

    I didn't have much luck doing that. Can you share a step by step?

  • rte592
    rte592 Posts: 2,235 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 12, 2026 6:42AM
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    @DisneyFan said:

    @Vetter said:
    Thanks all. The freezer/hammer trick worked. Nice BU roll of 43 steel cents.

    I didn't have much luck doing that. Can you share a step by step?

    The One time I cracked a roll, I started by scoring the plastic lengthwise with a box cutter on two sides.
    Put in a freezer bag and in the freezer overnight.
    Next morning tapped the plastic lightly with a hammer.
    The tube split along the score line for the most part.

  • jfriedm56
    jfriedm56 Posts: 3,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Vetter said:
    Thanks all. The freezer/hammer trick worked. Nice BU roll of 43 steel cents.

    So I was wondering if the coins were jammed into the tube by a coin that looks like it was struck off center or the beginning of a capped die error. Maybe it’s just the picture, but does the coin at the top of your picture (2nd from the right) look distorted or out of round? Only you can see it clearly in hand to know. Just wondering.
    Zack.

  • goldfixer21
    goldfixer21 Posts: 136 ✭✭✭
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    @jfriedm56 said:

    @Vetter said:
    Thanks all. The freezer/hammer trick worked. Nice BU roll of 43 steel cents.

    So I was wondering if the coins were jammed into the tube by a coin that looks like it was struck off center or the beginning of a capped die error. Maybe it’s just the picture, but does the coin at the top of your picture (2nd from the right) look distorted or out of round? Only you can see it clearly in hand to know. Just wondering.
    Zack.

    I think that's just a coin on top of another one

  • jfriedm56
    jfriedm56 Posts: 3,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @goldfixer21 said:

    @jfriedm56 said:

    @Vetter said:
    Thanks all. The freezer/hammer trick worked. Nice BU roll of 43 steel cents.

    So I was wondering if the coins were jammed into the tube by a coin that looks like it was struck off center or the beginning of a capped die error. Maybe it’s just the picture, but does the coin at the top of your picture (2nd from the right) look distorted or out of round? Only you can see it clearly in hand to know. Just wondering.
    Zack.

    I think that's just a coin on top of another one

    My bad. Looking again with your eyes, I believe you are right. Didn’t see what looked like another coin underneath. Thanks.

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