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 Replies: 31 / Views: 7,510 |
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Moderator
 United States
189767 Posts |
Keep up the good work.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1191 Posts |
I noticed that one of the coins got scratched while I was removing them :(
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Moderator
United States
189767 Posts |
Ouch.  Hopefully it was not an Eisenhower dollar.  Patience is key when opening proof sets. Take your time and do it right. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4901 Posts |
band/table circular saw....just cut around the edges and it will just lift up...same with slabs..
I've done it many times
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1191 Posts |
I finished opening the ones that seal on the rim, I scratched a 1979 S cent type 2 from opening the set with the flip. I lifted the edges of the plastic and worked my way around. I think that one of the round plastics that hold the coin in place scratched it  Edited by Hello There
02/03/2016 3:54 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1373 Posts |
Quote:
band/table circular saw....just cut around the edges and it will just lift up...same with slabs..
 I've used my grinder to 'chew' around the perimeter. Works fine but make sure you hold the plastic VERY tightly. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4901 Posts |
Quote:
Works fine but make sure you hold the plastic VERY tightly. Absolutely....I could tell you a story... |
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Moderator
United States
189767 Posts |
Quote:
I finished opening the ones that seal on the rim, I scratched a 1979 S cent type 2 from opening the set with the flip. I lifted the edges of the plastic and worked my way around. I think that one of the round plastics that hold the coin in place scratched it I told you those would give you fits. I spent a day getting the first one open. Not sure I recall exactly how I did it, being over twenty years ago now. I still have the package remains, they are not pretty. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12856 Posts |
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band/table circular saw....just cut around the edges and it will just lift up...same with slabs.. Not what I purchased my band saw for but , it works great for this. |
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Valued Member
299 Posts |
Perhaps I'll be chastised but I have opened many proof sets 1950-date ; for two reasons :
1) removal of superb cameos 1950-1964, 65-7 sms 68-71 which has yielded large financial returns and helped preserve and protect the coins (better than pliofilm or some of the iffy petroleum based compositions used later)
2) to update the albums which I keep just for fun, a habit begun over 50 years ago - I do not undertake that in a careless manner and don't wreck the coins through handling or improper insertion or slide damage. Those coins are subject to toning over time and many have become quite lovely.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10047 Posts |
At least the sets you are opening can be replaced easily if you want to. I need to break some open myself some day so I can put some of the coins into my individual sets. I deliberately get two proof sets a year so I can break one open.
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Valued Member
United States
422 Posts |
Me personally I break open sets for albums only if I have another set to keep complete, The easiest way I've found to open proof sets is to use a nail clipper file and use a rag of some sort to protect your hand and pry into the middle of the case on one of the long edges. I've seen a dealer grab and twist the holder to break it. I've seen him do it more than once and I cringe watching him do it.
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Valued Member
United States
68 Posts |
I know this is an older thread, but wanted to add my experience with opening a proof case. You can agree or not, but I have had luck with a wood chisel and hammer!  I place the case with narrow edge up and place the chisel at a corner. I gently hit the chisel to separate the two sides of the case and then gradually pry the two sides apart. I have yet to "shatter" a case. I always wear gloves and handle the coins by their edges after gently pushing them out of their "cardboard" holder. So far, the coins removed have been used for type sets but I am contemplating removing my proof and mints sets (most of both from 1956-present) to put them into albums, but have been put off by the cost! (But that is for another post). Edited by jwm74
02/18/2017 10:06 pm
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Moderator
United States
189767 Posts |
I can forgive the necro-bump. Thank you for sharing your experience, jwm74. |
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Valued Member
United States
314 Posts |
I found a vise/chisel is the best way to open them and not make a complete mess.
I put the proof case in a vise I have in my workshop, and then I put a chisel on the seam and give it a nice "whack" with a hammer, but not too hard since I just want to "split" it open and not have the chisel actually go too far into the proof case and risk hitting the coins.
I then "rotate" the case in the vise 90 degrees and work my way around it, doing this on each side.
By the time I get back to the first side, it is usually falling apart and I can usually just remove it from the vise and pry it apart and get to the coins.
There definitely is a 'risk' that you can damage the coins if you hit the case too hard and the chisel goes through and hits the coins, but so far, haven't had this happen.
I am also thinking of trying my circular saw on it, but am worried about flying plastic or the chance of hitting a coin with the saw blade. But in theory, you could just saw off about 1/2 inch of each "side" of the case with a circular saw and be able to open it that way. May give that a try next time I have a set to open and see how that works, but may want to make some sort of "holder" to keep it in place against the saw rail.
Michael
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Replies: 31 / Views: 7,510 |
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Posted 02/03/2016 1:03 pm
