How to unbend a token?

[zul32]

I'm not sure if I should even do this, but please - I could use any recommendations or suggestions you may have. I have a what I believe is a aluminum token.
This is my first token 'find'!

Anyway, it says "Utah Centennial Havana Club 1847-1947" and on the back it says "good for 10c in Trade". So, I'm guessing that the token was produced either late in 1946, or early 1947?

Unfortunately, this coin is so bent, it's almost completely "U" shaped and I'd like to straighten it out, but don't want to do it any damage. I do have a rubber mallet at home, and my workbench is made of hard wood if that helps?

Thanks
I'll try to see if I have a picture of it.

 

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[zul32]

ok, here's the picture....

 

[Jason in Enid]

I'm no expert in metal bending but I wouldn't try to straighten it. This was obvious bent long ago and has since undergone oxidation. It is very possible that the metal has become brittle during this time and attempts at straightening could cause it to break.

It may require careful application of heat and very slow, continual pressure to make it flat again (if possible)

 

[port ewen ace]

it gonna break--or at least major metal fatigue with stress cracks. with brass you would have far better chance. try a tapered dowel inside the curve with EXTREME light impacts on the dowel to spread the curve open----stop if you see crow foot cracking

 

[jeff of pa]

my honest answer.

I would use 2 Pair of Pliers.
with Heavy Cloth, or Plastic or Cardboard , Or other (which ever I could Scare up First)
between the Pliers & the Token
and slowly open it ,taking lots of breaks for the metal and me to relax. until I got it open enough to place it between 2 boards
and crush it flat.

all the while hoping it doesn't break.

 

[Loco-Digger]

I use a vice with 2 pieces of wood. You might need to do what Jeff recommend. You can use electrical tape to wrap arounf the pliers so that they do not scar the token and bend it out a little, then use the vice with 2 pieces of wood.

 

[idahotokens]

This all demonstrates one of the facts about collecting tokens - at least as compared to coins. With coins, if you want a particular one, you can usually go down to the local coin store and buy one. With tokens, you might have to take what you can get, because a "good" example may not turn up for a long time, if ever. Some tokens are readily available, but even then, they would probably not be stocked at the local coin shop. This does not mean that all tokens are valuable. Some certainly are, but many are very affordable. The laws of supply and demand apply.
John in the Great 208

 

[Goldfleks]

I found a Chuck-E-Cheese token on one of my first trips out... Ahh memories...

That place was amazing as a kid, and hell as an adult...