Jim and Jim-thanks for your comments, and I agree with your approach to the issue. I'd also like to make clear that I (esp. as a newbie collector) think the auction police, and the other info provided by knowledgeable collectors on this board is invaluable and can help us keep the price of education relatively low!(did I ever tell you the story about how on my very first "chip search" at flea markets I was lucky enough to be able to acquire BOTH the coveted Pyramid Casino chip AND some Nazi Poker chips!!!) Mike