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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,471 |
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Valued Member
United States
177 Posts |
I have several proof sets that I want to ope to fill holes in my albums. I never opened a proof set before. What is the best way to open them?
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Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
 Bang em on a brick wall.  I'm gonna break some open myself soon to sell some Silver proofs individually so I'm curious as well. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2217 Posts |
So can you make more money from selling proofs individually instead of keeping them all together?
Clearwater: The reason I won't suggest anything to you is if you damage your coins, I don't want you to be able to blame me :P
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Moderator
United States
6563 Posts |
Correct me if I'm wrong someone but I think I've seen sometimes one coin being worth more then the whole set.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1626 Posts |
Good question ClearwaterCoins. I tried it once. I used a pocket knife and wedged it in the seem and pulled apart. It did not work well at all. Coins went flying everywhere I would be interested to hear the way others open them as well. Tim |
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Valued Member
United States
397 Posts |
I open proof sets the same way I open slabs. Take a dremel tool with a cutoff wheel and cut around the outside edge. Then they will just lift apart with a little pry from a blade, and you never touch the coins. It is always advisable to open them over a soft cloth of some kind so if they do happen to fall out, it will land softly. MM  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1626 Posts |
That's a good idea morganman. I was thinking of zipping off all four sides on my band saw. Maybe next time I get a double proof set I will try it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1952 Posts |
I tried the dremel once and the molten plastic turned it into a real chore .i just hold it in both hands and twist it and most of the time it opens up with no problem at all. I have even had a few open to where it could be resealed (in an unscrupulous person had it)but they are very easy to open.the dremel (to me) adds work because it melts the plastic back together most of the time.
Good luck
Gary
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1247 Posts |
I heard you can twist the ends like you would do a plastic ice-cube tray to pop the works loose. *BUT* I don't know if it really works or not. I don't collect proof sets.
"Sir, I am un-aware of such activity or operation. Nor would I be disposed to discuss such an operation if it did in fact exist...sir."
Capt. Willard
Apocalypse Now
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Pillar of the Community
United States
772 Posts |
I take a vice-grips on the corner and bend. It will then allow a flat screw driver to slide in and twist the break the seal all the way around.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1840 Posts |
I set my dremel on slow and make a small cut in the seam just big enough for a standard screwdriver, insert, twist and repeat if needed. Since the screwdriver only opens it a little at a time you don't get that yard sale effect where coins go flying everywhere.
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Valued Member
United States
455 Posts |
When I was putting together a set of the silver proof State Quarters, I used the business end of a box cutter to pry it open. It was a snap |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Many Dremels are one speed and that is to high for this topic. The very high speed will cause the metal of the blade to heat and the plastic will melt back together almost as fast as you can cut through. However, as noted if you have a variable speed model, keep it on low and use a blade with somewhat farther spaced teeth. I use a sabre saw with a fine wood cutting blade on a slow speed held in a vise. I've found that a fine cutting blade, such as a metal cutter, will also make the plastic melt back together. If you place the thing in a vise it will stay closed until your done cutting and then it will just fall apart when you remove it from the vise. Keep it together until done cutting with channel locks, pliers, a relatives hands, etc. so that the coins will not fall all over the place.
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Member
United States
703 Posts |
A Hammer works well
errror
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
652 Posts |
No point in asking me. I'm currently having difficulty getting the gladwrap off my vegemite sandwich.  |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,471 |
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Posted 05/02/2007 11:35 pm
