Ok - I'll agree that most LE and what not are in the same condition - new and never really played on a table.

I don't collect those for the most part because I think they rank right up there with Franklin Mint "collectables." They are manufactured more for casino sales to collectors rather than play in the house.

I know others love them and to them I say - to each his own. I like the older stuff better.

As far as all like chips being in close to the same condition - that is mostly correct; however, some are really bad, while others are hardly used.

Take the $1 Dunes Sultan chips that have gone crazy lately. I found 4, and 3 were what I would call SU, per club grading. The other was better than the next grade (average), but not as nice as the other 3 examples. I sold 3 and kept one. I regret that - I should have just kept all 4 as they were beautiful chips.

A club member sold me the same chip (before I acquired these 4), along with a few others. The Dunes he sent was smooth as a stone and for me it wasn't one I wanted. The other chips were in great condition.

I returned the Dunes to him and got a refund for that chip. It was a nice exchange with no hard feelings on either side. That same chip sold recently for near double what I paid for it initially.

My last Dunes for sale sold for about double that - nearly $500 for mine vs. $250 for his.

Two like chips - two way different conditions; two very different prices.

Cheers,

Sonny (AKA Mark Sutton)