Hi Bob; Sorry for the delay in answering your question. Was away for the long holiday weekend and got back late last night. Can't believe how far this thread has deteriorated into a bunch of off-the-subject silliness from it's original concept.

But to answer your question. Ebay is not the final authority on how much a chip is worth. There are other references. All it takes for an item on ebay to be successful is to have two bidders who are aware of a particular item being offered who want it badly enough... and who are available to keep submitting counter-bids against each other before the clock runs out... will drive up the eventual selling price. In addition, a chip in top quality will always out perform a chip of lesser quality. Many of the 1a's I've seen sold at relatively cheap prices are fairly well worn. A clean one with nice sharp edges seems to do much better than a dirty one with rounded edges.

If you will refer to the orignial question posed about this chip that prompted my response.... the non-collector who is disposing of 31 or so chips left to him by his father, or deceased family member, asked on this board if this chip had any value. He specifically posted that if it was only going to bring a few dollars, it wasn't worth putting up for bid on ebay. This same seller has previously posted relatively common chips with the description that they were "rare" (remember that thread?) I'm pleased to see that he has since refrained from overstating the rarity of his ebay lots and has been receiving an education in the process. Please re-read my response to the seller. I don't think I mislead him. I'm sure you will agree that the chip is certainly worth more than a "few dollars". I will admit that the chip does not have the same value it did when my A.C. Catalog was published almost a year ago, as quite a few 1a's have been surfacing this past year.

Several A.C. chips will be revalued downward in my 2000 Edition of Black's Catalog. The 1a will be one of them. There are other items that will be revalued the other direction in this year's catalog.

It's always good to remember that ALL catalogs are simply a guide. The marketplace will determine the final value. Having said that, there will always be someone who is willing to sell for less than "catalog"; just like there will always be a dealer price list published that sells chips cheaper than his competitior. Once that happens, a new floor has been set for that particular item.... and there will be someone down the road who will sell their chips for less than that current new floor established. As long as there are chips available to go around to satisfy demand, the price will keep getting lower and lower..... until the excess supply has dried up, then prices tend to move upward again. Hopefully, annual catalog values tend to mirror these constant adjustments... BTW: What is the latest bid on the RES-1a chip on ebay today? Certainly more than a "few dollars" I'm sure.