Liberating Coins or Cracking Slabs

[TJ'S Coins]

What is the safest way to crack coins out of slabs? Are there different techniques for different grading companies?

[HaydenTubbs]

 

[Silvers24]

What is the safest way to crack coins out of slabs? Are there different techniques for different grading companies?

 

Sludge Hammer?

[TJ'S Coins]

Okay, short of a thermo nuclear device, what is the most economical and safest way of opening a slabbed coin. A friend uses bolt cutters but I am afraid of damaging the coin, if not something else.

[Jazzy]

Here's my old method: I put the slab in a vise with just one edge protruding from the top. I then use a pair of heavy pliers to crack off just the edge. It takes several passes around the slab, but it eventually comes apart very easily. Wear protective goggles, because the shrapnel flies around quite a bit.

 

Here's my new method, now that I've got some shop tools: I simply trim off the edges of the slab with a table saw. Use an appropriate tool to make the passes. Slabs are too small to table saw with hands alone. No point in losing a finger.

[Morgannut]

I just cracked an 1894-P key date Morgan ($1800 in VF) with a plane nail hammer against the sharp corner edge of a brick wall. Traded for it this morning at Baltimore Coin Show from Rare Coins of New Hampshire--but it was sufficating and now breaths FREE!!

[drwstr123]

I use a jewler's saw to slice into the corner following the seam line. The take a small knife and open it as a clam.

[TJ'S Coins]

Thanks for the suggestions. If anyone has additional ways of safely cracking slabs, I would be interested in them too.

[James_OldeTowne]

I use a hammer, and it works every time. One size fits all.

 

James