>>>"You're right I think. But why would you ever grade a chip that is worth $5 to start? I know that's not what I'm talking about " >>>

The answer as with anything that is being slabbed is "FUTURE INVESTMENT". Especially if it is reported to have a low mintage number.

You slab it now, in hopes that if it gets a GREAT "Grade" on it that it will be easier to sell in the future at a very high price.

Unfortunately, Casino Chips/Tokens are much different than government coins. Most countries will give out the information regarding quantities made in various states ie proof, circulation, millennium sets etc..

Casinos are somewhat free to do what they want with quantities. They can even order more of a Limited Edition a year later after all were released.

For instance, I believe it was the NY NY that had a limited number of their $10 Grand Opening chips made, which went fast then they made a second order for more. (It might have been The Orleans, my memory fails me right now)

At any rate with so many limited editions like Hard Rock 100 mintage chips. Now you have a situation where feasibly someone could buy up all of the chips then submit them for slabbing and they think they have a BONANZA here with their slabbed 100 chips. NOW wait, the casino decides these sold out so fast, lets make another order of 1000. Well the slabbed person states that theirs are specifically the first 100 chips issued making them special. What's to stop other buyers from having their chips slabbed by the same company and attempting to make the claim that their slabbed chips also came from the first run of 100?

It's all about trying to GET the MOST MONEY one can get by having the item SLABBED and GRADED. And attempting to also get back the MONEY from the buyer by passing along the slabbing costs in the higher prices. Look how many people want to charge the buyer excessive shipping and handling charges on their sales. And some seller's charging their buyers the extra charges "they the seller" incur by using PayPal services.

How many times have we all heard the story about this or that slabbed item being removed from a slab and sent back in to be re slabbed in hopes of getting a higher grade?

Why is this done?

GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!! GREED!!!! MONEY!!!!

Definately not to promote the hobby or help the collector.... Maybe just the investors? Well sooner or later the investor will want to sell. Maybe to another investor if one is want's that particular issue. If the seller has to sell to a collector I think they might be very disappointed to find out what it will sell for, if at all, to a true NON investor collector.