Like many new collectors, when I was first contracting the chip collecting bug I was immediately drawn to the Sahara plaques, both for their uniqueness, and (at least in terms of the $20) relative affordability. This series remains one of my favorites-- even if the $1,000 remains beyond my reach.

I have often said that the $1,000 Sahara plaque will forever remain the unattainable 'Holy Grail' of my collection. Not only have I never spent that much on a single collectible, but I have found that for me in this hobby (as in other things that I collect), the 'thrill of the hunt', and the 'wanting' is at least as much fun as the 'having'. Often I will find something that I have been searching for, and after the excited rush of the win (as many come off eBay), the anticipation of it arriving in the mail, the close inspection and careful placing into an air-tite and in my display case, the satisfaction dissipates and my next thought is, "Well that was fun, now what?" Thus, while have usually identified new Holy Grails as I progress in this hobby (at least in terms of cost, the $5 Thunderbird Bicentennial is at least 10X holier), to always have something that remains just out of reach makes the satisfaction I feel with what I have that much greater.

Yeah, I tried explaining it to my wife, and it didn't make sense to her either.

Brent J. Jensen
R-8007
orbis non sufficit

P.S. A word of caution to those inclined to heed the warning: Avoid going to the Senate in a toga today. Isn't March full of superfluous days to celebrate?