How I Successfully Cracked Out and Crossed My 1935-S Washington Quarter to PCGS MS66

My Washington Quarter Problem (And Exactly How I Fixed It)

Let me tell you how I navigated this tricky situation with my 1935-S quarter. When I first bought this beauty in an old NGC slab, I wrestled with a classic collector’s dilemma: keep it in a serviceable but less desirable holder, or risk everything by cracking it out for a PCGS crossover. Here’s my real-world journey through coin grading hell and back.

The Coin That Kept Me Up at Night

My 1935-S Washington Quarter looked stunning – that crisp blast white luster you rarely see in pre-war coins. But I kept second-guessing myself:

• Would PCGS knock it down a grade because of those reverse marks?
• Was that greenish tint on Washington’s cheek dangerous PVC residue?
• Could I actually destroy value by removing it from its original NGC holder?

Step 1: Getting Expert Eyes On It

Front Matters More Than Back (Who Knew?)

After showing my coin to five seasoned dealers (and buying a lot of coffee), I learned a crucial grading secret – the obverse carries most of the weight. One veteran told me straight: “The market buys the portrait, kid.” My coin perfectly demonstrated this:

• Front strengths: Nearly flawless fields, great cartwheel luster
• Back weaknesses: Visible marks on the eagle’s wing (I circled them obsessively in forum posts)

This explained NGC’s MS66 grade despite the reverse imperfections.

The Mystery of the Green Tinge

That odd discoloration on Washington’s face had me paranoid about PVC damage. Here’s how I investigated without cracking the slab:

1. Pulled up Heritage Auction archives to compare with confirmed PVC cases
2. Scoured NGC’s certification notes for any conservation hints
3. Spent hours with a loupe studying the haze pattern

Step 2: My Safety Net Strategy

Before taking the slab-cracking plunge, I played it smart:

The CAC Safety Net

I sent the still-slabbed coin to CAC for evaluation. When the package returned:

• Green sticker magic: Confirmed quality matched PCGS MS66 standards
• No PVC warning: That “damage” was actually natural toning

‘Seeing that green bean was like getting a pre-approval letter from PCGS’ – My grading journal

Old Slab, Real Value?

Turns out vintage holders do matter. My research showed the 1997 NGC slab added $10-15 premium:

• Tracked recent eBay sales of similar holders
• Compared Heritage auction prices
• Got dealer quotes on holder premiums

Step 3: The Nerve-Wracking Crack-Out

Breaking Free (Carefully!)

Armed with CAC approval, I carefully liberated my quarter using:

1. Specialized nylon-jaw pliers
2. Fresh nitrile gloves (never touch bare skin!)
3. My trusty loupe and bright task lighting

Acetone Bath – Don’t Screw This Up

Even with CAC’s blessing, I gave it a quick dip:

1. Pure acetone (drugstore grade won't cut it)
2. 60-second soak maximum
3. Triple rinse with distilled water
4. Air dry on microfiber cloth

This nixed any surface gunk without harming the original surfaces.

Step 4: The PCGS Submission Gamble

Crossing vs. Raw – My Choice

I used PCGS’s crossover service with clear instructions:

• “Minimum grade: MS66”
• “CAC-approved pre-submission”
• “Do NOT remove original toning”

The Longest Month of My Life

During PCGS’s 37-day turnaround, I:

1. Compared my coin to every PCGS MS66 example online
2. Created a Sheldon-scale map of every tiny mark
3. Prepared myself for a potential MS65 heartbreak

The Big Reveal: What I Discovered

When that PCGS box arrived with my MS66 quarter, I learned three crucial lessons:

1. Portrait is king: My coin’s flawless obverse saved it despite reverse marks
2. Toning isn’t terror: That “haze” was just 80+ years of natural aging
3. CAC = insurance: Their sticker added value and grading confidence

Would I Risk It Again? My Collector’s Checklist

Based on my rollercoaster experience, here’s when cracking makes sense:

Your Game Plan: Tried & Tested Steps

If you’re considering a crossover:

1. Get CAC validation first ($35 well spent)
2. Research holder premiums (PCGS/NGC guides)
3. Photograph every mark under magnification
4. Submit crossover with minimum grade
5. Glove up after cracking – always!

“Rushing almost cost me. Patience pays in grading wars.” – My hard-earned wisdom

Red Flags That Should Stop You Cold

• Major marks on focal points (eagle’s breast, portrait)
• Fibrous green deposits = PVC time bomb
• Vintage holders with big premiums (early NGC slabs)

The Bottom Line: Risk vs. Reward

Crossing my 1935-S quarter taught me that successful cracking demands:

• CAC’s expert eyes
• Proper conservation methods
• Smart PCGS submission tactics

My $275 investment in grading fees gained me 30% in value and a perfectly matched PCGS set. For high-grade classics like Washington Quarters, this methodical approach lets collectors upgrade holders without gambling their coins’ future.

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