I thought one of the COTY nominated chips was from a previous year's release. Can any chip released in any year be nominated?

Not that I am aware of. If so, I'd have to disqualify it. Only chips released in 2006 are eligible.

I didn't see any Silver Strikes on what I thought would be the SS page; were there none nominated?

While I've made arrangements to borrow the 10 nominated Silver Strikes for the Convention display, it always proves difficult to actually get them loaned and shipped to me in advance of the Convention and in-time for the Judge's Pamphlets. I have been given the OK to use the scans (usually provided by Jim Moser) from the SilverStrikers.com catalogue pages, but they need to be watermarked first. That little side project had some delays, but if you go back to the Un-Official viewing site ( http://www.thechipgallery.com/gallery2006?dir=SSOTY ) you will see all the nominees are now posted.

If for instance someone nominates a token but nothing from any of the other groups; would they be able to be a judge for all the groups, or just the one they nominated?

A member only needs to nominate a single item, in any of the four categories to qualify as a Judge. Even if the item they nominate does not become a finialist, he/she will still be deemed as a Judge.

Thanks again for your comments and I look forward to your participation just six short months away! (Where's the Splashman when I need a countdown? )

Jim Follis
OTY Awards Chairman