Thanks, Jim. I think (as I've been saying for
years) most of the people who some of us attack
and make fun of for using the RARE word simply do
not realize how common some of the material
they're offering really is.

I also feel that most of those who use the RARE
word mean nothing more than "desirable" or
"collectible" when they use it in their
descriptions, and mostly use it for lack of a
better word.

One perfect example: A month or so ago there was a
post about a certain Nevada casino that was doing
away with their $1 chip. A long-time contributor
to this board asked: "is this chip now going to be
more rarer"?

One of our authors responded that the chip has
been in use for many years and is available in
huge quantity.

My thinking is that all the person meant when he
used the RARE word was that if ths chip will be
more desirable now that it's off the tables.

Another good example of how the RARE word is
misused: Two years ago another well-known
contributor to this board who frequents card rooms
in California posted that a certain card room had
just closed and now all the chips from there are
RARE. He even mentioned in his post that he has
seen these chips at local flea markets and shows.

I think some of us overreact too swiftly when we
see a listing at eBay with the RARE word.

Thanks for contacting the seller and keeping us
posted with his response. I've been doing this
constantly whenever I see plastic being called
ivory, but kind of gave up lately.

JB