Scan is my usual crappy scan but the chip is absolutely mint...

Question is...If I have one, I think I am pretty correct in assuming that anyone that collects small town hot stamps probably does too. So, that kind of blows the R-8 rating away...See what I am saying...

I do not think these chips are that rare. There had to have been jillions of these things made and old dealers and old collectors are just sitting on them. How else can they keep emerging in mint condition?? Or are they pounding them out in the basement???

Of course, hordes are found, but hordes of everything? Seems odd to me.

I suppose the rare Vegas stuff you couldn't get away with making more but I am getting more and more skeptical about the small town junk. When some idiot collector like me is able to buy an R-8 chip for a cheap price, that causes me concern...8-15 known and rush one out to Mr. Englebretson, I don't think so.

I think it is time to do an inventory of what is out there...I think there will be some big surprises. Just one man's opinion, but I still don't think things are adding up right when it comes to scarcity, rarity, and actual number of AUTHENTIC chips available.

As I have said before, I am Norweigian and sometimes don't think quite right. However, I can do simple arithmetic and to me something stinks over there in Denmark and a few otherplaces...