"Fear of big money coming into the hobby, is, in my opinion, short-sighted."

Jerry; There is ALREADY "Big Money" in the hobby. Who do you think is purchasing many of the high ticket items??

"Why someone comes into a hobby in the first place is their own business. If they think they can try to collect just to make a buck..."

I don't know of anyone who disputes that position Jerry ...

"I think it is curious that I have seen debates rage here over what "rare" and "scarce" mean. If we were all nobly collecting solely for love of the chip, than why the big argument over why a chip should be classified R-5 or R-9. It makes a difference, and I don't think we should pretend that it doesn't."

'Slabbers' as a rule only authenticate and grade and collect their fees ... they leave values up to the buyer and seller. It is catalog authors who most likely publish guestimated rarity numbers/values as a guide.

"Also, I know coin grading is number based. At the least, I think our current grading system needs tinkering. There are definitely degrees between Average and Slightly Used that should be addressed. Some chips are simply better than average, but not good enough for slightly used."

How many in-between grades would YOU suggest Jerry? How many in between grades would chippers 'Jack' and 'Jane' prefer? Each in between grade would have a different price. Have you consulted the club's adopted grading standards that are currently published on the club's website?

"Finally, why can't we short-circuit the domino effect you outlined, by, as a group, coming up with our own "grading" service? We have the experts! We are small enough that, if were done properly, it could be set up to become instantly recognizable by all current collectors. This way we decide how it is done. I think that we should really be thinking about these issues, while we still, as a group, can collectively control the way this all washes out. We don't need to certify the "rarity" of a chip.....just the condition and genuineness."

WHO IS "WE" JERRY??
Who among us is willing to give up their collections and jobs so that they can offer "unbiased 3rd party opinions"? One of the reasons that ANA gave up ANACS (American Numismatic Association Certification Service) was because of their non-profit status that conflicted with businesses engaged in slabbing.

"I do know that the system, as it is presently constituted, cannot last forever."

And how do you know that to be factual Jerry?