Breakout

[lioncutter]

What is the best way to take break out a coin from a TPG holder using everyday or around the house items? Is it different for different company's holders say PCGS to ANACS or NGC? Is there one that is difficult to breakout?

[vampicker]

I use a bench vise. Great for control, cuts down on the shattering and other issues

[blh74]

I use a belt sander on all the edges. It is fast and easy.

[VamHelsing]

I use a chop saw. Carefully...

[lioncutter]

Thanks for the responses. I will try all three of these ideas.

[Tekkie1]

Either of these would work too Patrick.

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[messydesk]

Stand the slab on edge on a concrete floor and whack with a hammer. Wear safety glasses.

[lioncutter]

Either of these would work too Patrick.



20180315_211107.jpg

Yes, that would work here in guntucky.

[bigjayvee]

I'm with JB, and I wrap a towel or rag around the slab to catch all the plastic splinters.

[colwillys]

Stand holder on it side , find the seem , use a wood chisel and small hammer .. hit the seems this will crack open
the holder .. Hardest to open is ANACS .. Ease to open are pcgs then NGC .

[raynat3]

I don't have a vice set up so I use 20" Channel Lock Pliers to control the amount of force to limit the amount of shatter.

[weth]

I've used a cutting wheel on a Dremel tool, cutting along three edges of the holder then carefully prying it apart.

[colwillys]

Weth I like your way to open holders .. I will try that next time .

[CascadeChris]

All the suggestions here are great but once you master the "show style" of popping slabs you wont go back to anything else unless the coin has tremendous value. All you have to do is slam it on a hard concrete or similar floor flat side down, flipping sides between slams. It works very well on most slabs, is relatively safe and easy. The only risk is every once in a while you get a strange break that could damage the coin but I haven't damaged one yet. SEGS slabs dont really work with this method though. Their plastic is too thick and strange.

For coins worth around $1k or more I use bold cutters around the edges just to remove any possiblity of damage. Just to be ultra cautious.