"At this point in silver striking there is probably no one qualified to grade strikes."

Peter, may I respectfully ask how you arrived at this conclusion? The manufacture of dies and the methods of production and grading of silver strikes and coins are basically identical. I am curious to find out how those who are presently engaged in grading and slabbing of coins are not considered "qualified" to adopt their same procedures and standards to silver strikes? I'm just curious and asking the question as to why you think that way.

As for "The List"; and the Slab-Free Chapter..... many times people offer assurances that they will write letters, or get involved in spearheading a particular cause by either contacting the offending parties, or by writing to elected representatives... but never follow through with their promise. By signing "The List", or joining SlabFree, they have PUBLICLY demonstrated their displeasure and opposition to the slabbing/grading companies for all to see. "The List" then becomes a very powerful document which speaks for itself. Do you think that the club officers would be taking a second look at this whole slabbing issue if it were not for "The List?" Do you think that all 360 names on that list would have contacted the club officers or the grading/slabbing companies individually? I don't; ... and that's why I for one believe that the continued demonstration of public support for "The List" is very important. You can bet ICG and others are monitoring "The List" and the growth of SlabFree very closely. ICG has admitted as much in earlier posts. There is a strong need for many new additional names to be published to demonstrate that there is even more wider support than has been obtained on this issue to date.

I'll repeat this statistic for those who still feel that this is a matter for the entire club membership to vote upon.

ONLY 717 club members cast a ballot in the last important election for club officers. Where were the other close to 2000 votes? Every club member was entitled to vote.

ONLY 200 club members submitted their choices for last year's Chip Of The Year and Token Of The Year. Where were the other so-called concerned votes from nearly 2000 more who were eligible to vote? Every club member was entitled and invited to submit their nominees.

LESS THAN 100 visitors to the 2001 convention voted for their choice of which exhibits merited the "People's Choice Award"(including non-members votes). Where were the rest of the so-called concerned club members in attendance who say they are so interested in "education" and were invited to cast their votes?

It's time to face up to the reality-check folks. It's now or never to attempt to stop this slabbing intrusion into our hobby. The slabbers have no interest in chippping ... or tokening. They do not purchase or sell chips or tokens. Their only interest in our hobby is to make money by grading and slabbing YOUR CHIPS AND YOUR TOKENS! Great marketing idea. No investment or cash outlays to make in building inventory stock. The suckers (collectors/investors) will bring "THEIR" valuable chips and tokens that they have purchased for "US" to judge and "WE" encase them in permanent plastic cases (for "OUR" fee). I ask; What have they done for OUR hobby... or for OUR organization? Why do we need them at OUR convention?

For those who are opposed to this commercial venture, Speak up now, or forever hold your piece. I invite everyone who opposes slabbing and who has not yet done so, but who are thinking about it, to sign "The List" today ... and/or join SlabFree for a lifetime dues payment of only $5.

$5 may be the best investment in this hobby that you will ever make.

Sorry if some readers think this post is redundant, but in all probability there are new folks reading this bb for the very first time who may not be as familiar with this issue as most of us are.