How to crack ANACS & PCGS slabs? And should I be cracking them in the first place?

seanq · July 18, 2003 12:29AM

I'm in the process of putting my clipped Lincoln Cent date set into a couple of these albums. Several of the coins in the set are currently in ANACS and one PCGS holder. What's the safest way to crack them out?

Part Two of this question may be the more interesting one: would I be insane to crack out my ANACS 1914-D and 1922 Plain clips and put them in the book with the rest of their cousins? The slides in the album are archival wuality, the books are kept in a fireproof safe, and I have no immediate plans to sell either of them, and the set won't be complete without them - really, I can't think of a good rationale for keeping them cooped up in their tombs. Does anyone want to talk me out of it?

Sean Reynolds

relayer · July 18, 2003 12:32AM

Once you've seen Baley's 20th Century Type Set Album, you'll never keep a coin in a slab again

jonesy · July 18, 2003 1:24AM

I also would like to know how to take a PCGS slab apart. The NGC requires a kitchen spoon. Smack NGC slab around perimeter until it splits apart. That simple!! Now the PCGS slab seems to be made to keep the coin. Help Please!!

kieferscoins · July 18, 2003 1:28AM

Wire cutters. Snip one end and the slab cracks across the whole length. You can then pull the top off and pull the coin out with the plastic ring still around it. No harm of flying plastic or scratching the coin.

Cameron Kiefer

Russ · July 18, 2003 1:29AM

This tool:

Results in this:

Russ, NCNE

dorkkarl · July 18, 2003 1:32AM

aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, the forum's finest digi-pic.

thanks russ! just brightened up my day!

K S

RGL · July 18, 2003 1:34AM

Hmmm...I can't figure who is in the lead there in Russ' Shattered Slab Shack. Is it NTC? ICG? Gasp, even PCGS?

laserart · July 18, 2003 1:48AM

Take it to a trophy shop or any where else that has a laser and you can get it cut out in about 10 seconds.

relayer · July 18, 2003 2:15AM

ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION when cracking a slab.

Unless you use a saw (which is how PCGS does it - nice and clean) prying with a screwdriver can cause shards of plastic to go flying.

mdwoods · July 18, 2003 2:25AM

A hacksaw works very well.

Russ · July 18, 2003 2:29AM

Saws, vices, wire cutters. Sheesh! In my neigborhood we ain't got none of them fancy tools. You upscale folk sure have it made.

Russ, NCNE

K6AZ · July 18, 2003 2:38AM

My weapon of choice is a five inch C clamp, cracks them almost perfectly in half most of the time. Here are some images for your enjoyment:

Dog97 · July 18, 2003 2:38AM

Unlike cleaning, damage etc slabbing can be easily undone. I'm not real scientific about it an d use the BFH method. (big ****in hammer) I hold them on edge on my fireplace hearth and smash them lightly around the edge with a 28 oz Estwing waffle.
It's good to buy key coins in slabs and crack them for Danscos. Bettern buying them raw off sleazeBay.

kieferscoins have you ever tried the method you describe?
In a PCGS slab the coin ring is in a circular recess and you can't slide it out & an ANACS neophrene is held in place by a tab & recess below the label. You have to completely seperate the shell halves.

kieferscoins · July 18, 2003 2:42AM

I have done it many times. I have seen major dealers do it on hundreds of coins. The trick is to use end snips (the fat ones) and snip it on the side in the middle of the slab.

Cameron Kiefer

mdwoods · July 18, 2003 2:43AM

Saws, vices, wire cutters. Sheesh! In my neigborhood we ain't got none of them fancy tools. You upscale folk sure have it made.

Someone also mentioned a laser.

K6AZ · July 18, 2003 2:51AM

dbldie55 · July 18, 2003 3:00AM

Cameron outlines the method my dealer uses (many many times). The new NGC slabs are by far the toughest to open. The side cutter method does not work on them.

Nysoto · July 18, 2003 5:58AM

A vise works best for me, a hammer is more risky unless you are a carpenter or blacksmith.

paigowjohnny · July 18, 2003 6:02AM

I use a hammer back on the patio....ANACS slabs are surprisingly tough...PCGS are incredibly tough when using a hammer.

I don't think I'd unslab the key dates though...I have a circ Lincoln wheat set in an album, but the 09-S VDB and 14-D I bought to complete the set still sit in their ANACS slabs.

Russ · July 18, 2003 6:02AM

<< <i>The new NGC slabs are by far the toughest to open. The side cutter method does not work on them. >>

They split like an oyster with a few taps of the hammer. The only slabs on the market that are even marginally difficult are SEGS and PCGS.

Russ, NCNE

K6AZ · July 18, 2003 6:56AM

Russ, I have no problems with any slab using the weapon shown above.

lordmarcovan · July 18, 2003 7:34AM

ANACS? Tough? Bah! One, maybe two smacks with my B.F.H.

I start at the top part, near where the label is. Often I don't need to hit it anywhere else.

SEGS makes a tough slab. The plastic in a SEGS capsule is far more flexible; the ones I've opened tend to flex and bend, rather than crack.

Syracusian · July 18, 2003 4:28PM

ditto

BAJJERFAN · July 18, 2003 11:04PM

For ANACS slabs I use side cutting pliers with the blunt rounded tip. Just like cuttin out paper dolls with scissors.

joeyuk · July 18, 2003 11:15PM

I use a scrol saw.

RotatedRainbows · July 18, 2003 11:56PM

Its easy, use a band saw to cut the top off and then cut one off the sides and you can easily take the coin/insert out. It makes opening any slab fast and easy, even the brutal SEGS slab.

How to crack ANACS & PCGS slabs? And should I be cracking them in the first place?

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How to crack ANACS &amp; PCGS slabs? And should I be cracking them in the first place?

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How to crack ANACS & PCGS slabs? And should I be cracking them in the first place?