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 Replies: 19 / Views: 5,955 |
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Valued Member
United States
451 Posts |
Is there a trick to opening the capsules in a 1976 Bicentennial Silver Proof set?
I bought one with a great looking Ike for my album and was stunned at how the capsules were sealed. I freed Ike relative easily, but nearly lost some fingers opening the quarter and half without damaging them.
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
It is definitely one of the better sealed sets.  I do not even remember how I did mine exactly. It was twenty years ago and I am sure those memories are repressed for a good reason. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6478 Posts |
I used a kitchen knife, don't tell my mom, and used the sharp edge to get into the seem a little, then I wiggled it around, loosening it, then doing the same thing again until it falls apart. The air tites did not fit together again. I did this about a week ago.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
Same method as Kid but I use the very thin blade of an exact knife pen. Tap with hammer or whatever at the seam then wiggle while going around...
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
One of the greater reasons to buy a Dremel.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
One of the greater reasons to buy a Dremel.
No baloney. After many years using a Dremel, I would have no problem at all cutting a flathead-sized slot in the side of one of those capsules to gain sufficient leverage to pry it open. It's one of those cases where the Dremel stays stationary and I bring the work to it. Dremel flat on its' side with a cut-down cutting disk, and you roll the capsule into it. Easy technique if you have the touch. Quote:
It was twenty years ago and I am sure those memories are repressed for a good reason.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
Dremel is too dangerous with these single coin insert cases IMHO
Edited by Cascade
04/30/2015 9:34 pm
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Second technique, again only for the experienced tool user. ChannelLocks opened so that the jaws grip the capsule in parallel, duct-taped flat surfaces to prevent sudden shattering. Heck, tape the whole thing so the pieces stick to the tape. Multiple grasps, a little at a time, around the circumference. True cracking.  |
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Valued Member
 United States
451 Posts |
Thanks. All better than the dull Leatherman and Band-Aid method I used.
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
Second technique, again only for the experienced tool user. ChannelLocks opened so that the jaws grip the capsule in parallel I looked at the remains of my OGP materials today. This is my best guess for what I did. It certainly feels right, but we all know how feelings alter our reasoning and memory recall.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
952 Posts |
why are you guys opening them? getting them slabbed?
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
I opened mine to fill holes in my Dansco albums.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
927 Posts |
A great idea! Crack them all out of the cases and put them in albums. Then eventually mine will be the only one left in OGP and it will be really valuable!  |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
You mean your heirs.  There are still plenty in OGP, at least judging from what I see at my local coin show. |
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Valued Member
United States
451 Posts |
I see a lot of terrible looking Ikes, especially brown Ikes, in OGP. I'm not sure if it's best to leave them in there or not. I suppose a lot depends on how they were stored.
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Correct. The sets are not sealed air tight, so where they are kept will affect the coins.
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Replies: 19 / Views: 5,955 |
Posted 04/30/2015 3:12 pm
