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First off, before anyone goes off, let me state right off the bat that price guides are merely guides. Realistic values are always in flux and depending on the chips, can be prone to dramatic swings sometime. That said, we can move on.
As all of you that use The Chip Rack are aware, the value given, i.e. "A, B, F, H," etc. represent a dollar amount range. For instance the "D" value is designated for $10.00-$14.00. What is also important to know is that that value range is for a specific listed condition. Using the same D value as an example, the value is not $10.00 for a chip in average or worn condition and $14.00 in slightly used or mint condition. The Chip Rack specifies the condition of the majority of the chips, and this condition has it's own column, and letter, i.e. "N" (for new) "A" (for average) and so on.
So for a chip listed as D, and the condition specified in TCR as N, the listing means that this specific chip in new condition typically sells in the range be $10-$14.00. Understanding this will allow you to also understand that this same chip in average condition should be valued lower then $10.00.
Now lets take the opposite side of the same coin. If a specific chip is listed as "F" with a condition of A, then that chip in slightly used condition would be worth significantly more then the $20.00-$24.00 that is designated for an "F" chip. The reason why is that the A specifies that the $20-$24.00 range is for chips in average condition.
Using James Campiglia's "Official" price guide is different. He lists three different values, correlating to different conditions. Since in reality condition should be broken down into more then 3 categories, it is important to remember to look carefully at the chip and decide what condition the chip is in. Try to be realistic. Then adjust what is listed up or down to reflect the condition of your chip.
Both price guides clearly define chip condition, as does the club's website.
Next, let me talk about the - sign used with chip values. If you see a chip listed in TCR 10 as "F-", it does not mean that the value in the last TCR was "G" or higher. What it means is that the running average is lower then it was before in the previous edition. It may very well still have been an "F" chip, but the average selling prices might have been $23.00, while for this edition, the average value might have been $21.50. Still both typically falling in the $20-$24.00 range. So, the - represents a fall in the mean selling price, not specifically a fall in the letter value.
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