Hi Jim; To answer your question(s).... no, I have not included any reference to grading in any of my catalogs, except to publish my personal objections to such a system in an "editorial manner" immediately following my published "Price Guide". My problem with a grading system is not so much with the grade that has been arbitrarily assigned by the seller, but with the price associated with that particular grade. I prefer the term condition over "grade". I'm not familiar with the three grades you've published in your book, and would be interested in reading what thoughts you've published on the subject. Is an "Extra Fine" worth two or three times a "Fine"? I don't think so. Does an XF have a premium value over a F? Maybe so,... how much of a premium depends upon the particular chip issue and how one relates verbal descriptions to the actual differences in condition between the two. It can't be an automatic formula where all XF's trade a a fixed percentage over all VG's. Can an XF chip have a couple of ding marks on the edge? What is the difference between a Fine and a Very Fine? Are we splitting hairs, or are there obvious discernable differences that a potential buyer and seller can agree on? No, I've not seen your book yet, but I'm looking forward to picking up a copy at the convention in approximately two weeks. Generally speaking, if someone offers me a chip for sale that I would like to add to my collection, my first question is not "what grade is it?" My first question is, "how much do you want for it?" From there we can negotiate price, depending upon CONDITION; not what someone says is an XF or a super Fine or as one frequent bb poster likes to describe many of his chip finds as "awesome".

As for the Universal Numbering System presentation date and time to be discussed at the Orleans..... Convention Program Chairperson, Belinda Hixon, has published the entire schedule of convention activites on the club message board if you care to visit there. Regards, Archie