I don't see how ICG has any more knowledge of authenticity than the best experts in our hobby, most of whom would apparently rather put a stick in their eye than help ICG. However, we don't do ourselves any favors by making incorrect arguments. My comments here are NOT in support of slabbing, but only in the interest of maintaining credibility for our cause.

In response to Mr. Love's statement that "ICG guarantees the authenticity of every chip we slab," you present a lengthy discussion of their grading policies. Grading and authenticating are two VERY different issues. What is ICG's policy on authentication of coins? What will ICG do for the person who buys a slabbed MS-70 coin which is indeed an MS-70 grade, but is a FORGERY of the coin it purports to be?

Authentication in the chip world is much more difficult than the coin world. It is my understanding that records of all US coins produced are readily available, and a previously "unknown" coin is not possible. How does anyone go about "authenticating" that recently found New China Club $100, for example?