Sums up the problem I am having grading my plaques and other things ready for the start of the sale this weekend.
Recently I bought 3 dinky plaques and the picture was a generic one. They arrived and 1 was lovely, the other 2 were, let's say, not as nice. Warped and other issues, not impressed but it happens. Just seems to be too often nowadays. Oh well.
The Le Cercle plaques, chips, jetons and anything else you can think of (try me) will be on sale soon. The first orders will get the best ones left (after my selected pre-opening people) and there is a complicated grading/pricing scale that will be explained too (and photos) so everybody knows exactly what they will be getting (or not). I have lots of some (£5s and £10s) and less of others obviously so availability may be limited.
An average set is what I would say is the usual sort of condition I am used to receiving when buying stuff from this era and personally would be happy with them (especially with the price difference) but there will be grades to suit all pockets.
I have some "personal" sales to complete first and then it's here, poker site, FB and maybe a set on Ebay leading up to general release.
Any questions, please email me.
An example of the type for sale (this is immaculate and looks like it was made yesterday).
Obviously most faults are subtle but the more they have the lower the price will be.
I hope that some collectors will splash out on a little bit of history but to be honest if not, I'll forget my investment and just keep the lot of them.
I'm not actually that fussed but would like to think that some will go to appreciative homes.
Hope to hear from some of you soon but no worries, I have a couple of buyers lined up who will basically take most of what is left after getting some to the right homes. Plus there are a few ideas floating around for the rest.
Top grade first.

Average grade.

As can be seen there are differences in quality but both look lovely (IMHO). If I didn't have an immaculate one to see the red unicorn, the average brown colour run ones would look fine to me but they stand out now. Lesser quality will have more of these issues obviously. Most are still pleasing on the eyes though.
The main "faults" seem to be..............
Ink spots (accumulation of black on back, some still soft).
Colour fading.running. The best look shiny and the lower ones become more "dull" I feel.
Warps, pushed middles (most still decent lookers though).
Stain, sticky (need another clean).
Brown edges on some due to the tape used to wrap them up but most have been cleaned and come off great.
Some are even still soft/flexible (worst of the lot) which will probably be given as freebies or made into a resin table/paperweights etc.
Another example

Obviously the bottom one is one of the lowest types, just to show the scope of condition.
Right, enough of this, have to go.
Have fun all.
I'm sure there are loose ends I have missed on here as things keep popping into my head whilst I type (obviously) but my brain is fried now.
Price is able on request.