Schatzy 4,360 posts Report post Posted February 3, 2010 Well I made two videos today on cracking a coin out of a holder. I always use a hammer, wire snips and a wash cloth. Wrap the coin in the wash cloth and then hit the side of the holder with the hammer till you here the slab crack. I have never damaged a coin yet doing it this way. PCGS Crackout NGC Crackout Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coinman1794 4,871 posts Report post Posted February 3, 2010 I've never seen anyone do it the same way I do before Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gbsten 261 posts Report post Posted February 3, 2010 My luck I'd crack the countertop! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WoodenJefferson 24,958 posts Report post Posted February 3, 2010 That...is a good way to have a coin fly across the room. Hint, never use your fingers to pry the broken halves apart, you could launch shards of plastic and or the coin itself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PerryHall 2,414 posts Report post Posted February 3, 2010 Hint, never use your fingers to pry the broken halves apart, you could launch shards of plastic and or the coin itself. Also, it's a good way to slice your finger and get blood all over your coin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schatzy 4,360 posts Report post Posted February 3, 2010 Hint, never use your fingers to pry the broken halves apart, you could launch shards of plastic and or the coin itself. Also, it's a good way to slice your finger and get blood all over your coin. Okay....I have never cut myself or had the coin come flying out of the holder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WoodenJefferson 24,958 posts Report post Posted February 4, 2010 If you take those nippers and snip right below the label (into the coin cavity) of course wrap it in a cloth, turn it and snip the other side, the gasket and coin will usually just slip out, no prying required. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cpm9ball 14,311 posts Report post Posted February 4, 2010 A band saw can cut all four edges away with no problem at all. It's best to cut the long sides away, first. Chris Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HiHoAudio 1,652 posts Report post Posted February 4, 2010 Great videos, but I'll stick with my vise. I have never been very good with a hammer. And a bandsaw, I shutter at the thought! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PerryHall 2,414 posts Report post Posted February 4, 2010 Hint, never use your fingers to pry the broken halves apart, you could launch shards of plastic and or the coin itself. Also, it's a good way to slice your finger and get blood all over your coin. Okay....I have never cut myself or had the coin come flying out of the holder. I've cut myself on those plastic shards. They can be sharp. Just recommend that everyone be careful. Also, it's not a bad idea to wear eye protection. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WoodenJefferson 24,958 posts Report post Posted February 4, 2010 I in no way wanted to offend the OP, it's just that there is NO right way to open a tamper resistant container, only safe ways. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cpm9ball 14,311 posts Report post Posted February 4, 2010 I in no way wanted to offend the OP, it's just that there is NO right way to open a tamper resistant container, only Safeways. I didn't know Safeway was still in business, but I wouldn't trust their baggers. Chris Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coinman23885-migration 309 posts Report post Posted February 5, 2010 Have you ever dropped plastic remnants on the coins? I have always thought that the method described by Chris was the best (band saw). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SWNGC 386 posts Report post Posted February 5, 2010 Have you ever dropped plastic remnants on the coins? I have always thought that the method described by Chris was the best (band saw). I JUST USE MY TEETH! Have used a dremel with reinforced cutoff wheel (the ones that don't just fly apart) to open them right up and have been wanting to try the new dremel multimax vibrating tool to see if it'll slice through the plastic as easily as it does the nail on their commercial:)... Without a doubt, safer for the coin and operator than prior methods mentioned... Have also considered a doorknob drillbit in a drillpress without the bit in the center. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
$ilverHawk 1,632 posts Report post Posted February 5, 2010 I'm in favor of using shaped charges. I figure if you set the slabs up properly in front of a Claymore you could open up hundreds of slabs at one time. There may be a problem with getting the spacing right to make sure the coins aren't damaged. After all isn't cracking out and resending coins a gamble? Let's really roll the dice!! Carl Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cpm9ball 14,311 posts Report post Posted February 5, 2010 I'm in favor of using shaped charges. I figure if you set the slabs up properly in front of a Claymore you could open up hundreds of slabs at one time. There may be a problem with getting the spacing right to make sure the coins aren't damaged. After all isn't cracking out and resending coins a gamble? Let's really roll the dice!! Carl Wouldn't it be better to roll some C4 into a long, very thin rope (like you did with clay when you were a kid) and wrap it around the edge? Chris Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
$ilverHawk 1,632 posts Report post Posted February 5, 2010 I think you're on to something. If you roll the C4 thin enough you could snap the sonic bonds, the slab would crack and the coin would be freed from it's wrongfully graded TPG holder. Carl Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coinman23885-migration 309 posts Report post Posted February 6, 2010 I think you're on to something. If you roll the C4 thin enough you could snap the sonic bonds, the slab would crack and the coin would be freed from it's wrongfully graded TPG holder.Carl I'd love to see that. Good luck explaining that to your neighbors and federal law enforcement agencies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gbsten 261 posts Report post Posted February 6, 2010 I like to use a torch and just melt the plastic. If any of the plastic sticks on the coin I just chip it off with a screwdriver. I then sell the coin on ebay " with rare adjustment marks". If you can't get all the plastic off, it simply becomes "an ultra-rare planchet flaw". Selling coins on ebay is easy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MorganMan 1,239 posts Report post Posted February 6, 2010 Have used a dremel with reinforced cutoff wheel (the ones that don't just fly apart) to open them right up and have been wanting to try the new dremel multimax vibrating tool to see if it'll slice through the plastic as easily as it does the nail on their commercial:)... Without a doubt, safer for the coin and operator than prior methods mentioned... Same way I do it. MUCH safer for the coin and the body. No shards, just pop it right apart with a flat blade screwdriver after dremeling around the edges. MM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PerryHall 2,414 posts Report post Posted February 6, 2010 I've had good results by wraping the slab in a cloth and then slowly squeezing the slab in a vise on one axis until it cracks and then slowly squeezing the slab on the other axis. Usually, the slab shells easily separate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coinman23885-migration 309 posts Report post Posted February 7, 2010 I like to use a torch Is that in reference to my post on copper spots on gold under the Pan Pacific thread listed here? I was referring to raw coins, when done properly with safety equipment. I said that I advised against it. I know it sounds outlandish, but I've heard that it actually works quite well! I actually prefer the NCS method if the spots are worth the time, money, and risk to remove. I like to use a torch and just melt the plastic. If any of the plastic sticks on the coin I just chip it off with a screwdriver. I then sell the coin on ebay " with rare adjustment marks". If you can't get all the plastic off, it simply becomes "an ultra-rare planchet flaw". Selling coins on ebay is easy! It's sad, but I bet that some naive person would take the bait on that one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oldtrader3 4,938 posts Report post Posted February 7, 2010 Some of the coins that I have left might have their appearance improved by a shape charge explosion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jesbroken 3,467 posts Report post Posted February 7, 2010 I agree with Chris. That is the easiest and I have never damaged a coin nor a finger. Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
$ilverHawk 1,632 posts Report post Posted February 8, 2010 OK lets take it down a notch. How about cordite. The blast effects may yeild an incredibly toned coin. Damn I love the smell of naplam in the morning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
