Removing Coins From Slabs

I use bolt cutters. It seems like overkill but it cuts the 4 edges like a hot knife through butter and doesn't splinter the plastic much. I've never harmed a coin this way.

I also use a bolt cutter. I cut at 3:00 relative to,the coin and that usually creates a neat crack across the coin to the other side. Occasionally I will make a second cut at 9:00 and then carefully pull the two pieces apart. Always seems to work.

My handiwork:

I wrap the slab in a hand towel, lay against it's thin edge on a concrete floor and with one hammer hit it opens quite nicely and coin is always safe.

I don't have a bolt cutter. I have a hammer, hand towel, and concrete slab, though. Thank you, people.

The Green Bean is killing me as I see money flying out the door.

Of course, I lock the door and close the windows before I go to work on those slabs, Slider.

Well, the CAC sticker is just another version of someone else's opinion of the coin. I don't feel like I paid a premium for the coin (1919-S Lincoln). I have other MS63RB coins that I think have better eye appeal honestly.

The two dollar crack outs are actually a Seated (1860-O) and Trade (1878-S) Dollar that I cracked out for my 7070. They were both details coins but I got a good deal on them and the eye appeal is good in my opinion. I was just happy with the fact that they are real and I could afford them.

There are a few coins I probably won't crack out - I am ok with cracking out $200 coins; $500 or $1000+ coins I will have to think about. The remaining Lincolns needed to complete my collection might fall into this category if and when I decide I can afford them.

I must admit I like coins in albums rather than locked away in a box. If I can find them raw, that's usually my first choice but it is not always possible or people want to sell raw coins at a slabbed price and they have to be awfully nice in that case.

I put my little inserts in the cigar box I use for my miscellaneous coins.