I received an email earlier tonight from someone offering me a $5 Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn chip. Here's the text of the email:

Hey Mr. Mark Cotton,

We corresponded in July 2008 concerning a $5 Desert Inn Chip that I had. I have kept the chip and would like to sell it. Since you researched the chip and its value in 2008, I thought I would contact you concerning purchase of the chip. If you are not interested in purchasing the chip but know someone that would be, please pass on my contact information.

I am attaching a photo that I took of my chip. It meets the description you sent me from "The Chip Rack" as N4075. In 2008 it had a rarity of R-7 and a value of $900 Average, $2,000 for Slightly Used, and $3,000 for New. My chip is in very good shape (The chip has never been cleaned) and I believe that it falls in the "Slighly Used" category.

Thanks for you assistance with this matter.

Sincerely,
**********

Here is the photo that he attached to the email:

I couldn't remember giving him a value in an earlier email, but figured it could have happened. Anyway, when I saw the picture, my first thought was "Wow, I've got a chip just like that one. Small world!"

Then, just for the heck of it, I got out my chip and compared it to the picture he sent. Double-wow! My chip and his have the EXACT same insert shapes, edge nicks, abrasions and dirt! What are the odds?

Here's my chip, by the way. Note the shape of the insert at 10 o'clock in both pictures:

So, I sent the guy an email asking: "Is the photo you sent an actual photo of your chip?"

To which he responded: "Yes, it is. My daughter took it on her phone."

So, just to keep things interesting, I wrote back: "Can you have her take a picture of the other side? Condition is real important with chips this old, especially to get the prices they show in the Chip Rack. How much are you asking for it?"

Although I haven't included it here, the initial message included a name, address and phone number. I've left them out since the messages may be from somebody using an innocent person's information.

That's where things stand now, but I will keep this thread updated as this transaction progresses.