I don't comment much but I've been around since the CT days and read these boards constantly (especially the classifieds). One topic that comes up often but never seems settled is rating of chip condition. We've all seen questionable listings either here or on eBay, but we really don't have an agreed upon guide or scale for this. I did some forum searches and couldn't find anything. I believe the CC>CC people have something, but ratings for our needs typically pertain to multiple chips (barrels, racks, etc) vs. ratings for singles collectors. I did some brainstorming and threw together a rough guide consisting of 5 condition categories and 3 modifiers. My personal chip knowledge is limited to Paulsons and one China clay set (CPS) so input on the other types is needed. However, it seems condition is less variable and less important with the more durable China clays, plastics, and ceramics; so maybe this guide should only cover Paulson, CPC, BCC, TRK type clay chips?
Having said all of that, here is my attempt at an official chip condition rating system. The way I intended this be used is to list either the category number or name plus modifier if applicable. So for example, if I cleaned and oiled a rack of Jack Detroit $500's that I've put in play twice, they would rate as 2/C/O (or excellent C/O) meaning excellent condition, cleaned and oiled.
The conditions and modifiers are as follows:
Condition 1 - Mint
This is the least subjective category. Mint chips are mint, meaning they've never seen any use. They've never been handled or have very minimal handling. They show no wear whatsoever and remain in unaltered factory condition. These chips may be chalky from the manufacturing process. They are flawless aside from natural manufacturing irregularities. There is no ambiguity, anything other than looking at means chips are no longer mint. This category is synonymous with brand new, untouched, unboxed, chalky. This condition commands a premium in sales.
Condition 2 - Excellent
Similar to mint but have been handled; with or without play. Any cleaning, oiling or significant handling of mint chips would fall in this category. No or very minimal signs of wear. These chips are very sharp with no or minimal flea bites. No major flaws and almost no minor flaws. Strong cross hatching. Should not have seen enough use to get dirty. Synonymous with unplayed, near mint, new, sharp. This condition commands a premium in sales.
Condition 3 - Good
These chips have fairly sharp edges. They will all stand on edge with little to some effort. They will have flea bites, scuffs, and be dirty, but absent of major flaws and are flat. Cross hatching is still strong but may be slightly worn back from the edges and not as strong as an excellent or mint chip. Mold features are mostly unaffected. These chips are in good enough condition to be considered "nice" but also broken in enough to play with. Synonymous with used, nice. This condition does not command a premium in sales but is also not detrimental.
Condition 4 - Casino Used
These chips are not display pieces, they are meant for play. They have seen heavy use with edges rounded enough that most will not stand on edge. They will be very dirty, but have some life left and are typically economical. Flea bites and chips are common but may be less noticeable due to overall wear and rounding. Some visible cross hatching remains but offers little feel. Mold features show wear. Synonymous with worn, used. This condition will diminish value in sales.
Condition 5 - Poor
These chips will be very dirty, smooth, and rounded. No chance that any stand on edge. Cross hatching is barely visible or gone completely. The mold itself will show significant wear. They are at the end of the chip lifecycle. In addition to wear, this category includes other major flaws such as warping, staining, water damage, etc. Synonymous with worn, bicycle tires, damaged. This condition will significantly diminish value in sales.
Modifier C - Cleaned
Chips cleaned in any common method including ultrasonic and hand scrubbing. This generally improves appearance but may result in fading. Cleaning will not improve condition category but may improve value. Cleaned chips can never be mint.
Modifier O - Oiled
Chips oiled to boost color and improve feel. Oiling will not improve condition category but may improve value. Oiled chips can never be mint.
Modifier A - Altered
A large category that includes inlay removal/replacement, milling, overlabeling, cancellation, etc. Alterations may or may not be reversible and may or may not affect value in either direction. Modifications should always be clearly stated along with condition rating in any listing. If a chip is modified into another, the original chip should always be stated. Altered chips can never be mint.
At minimum these are the ratings I have in mind when I'm looking to buy chips. Maybe with a little feedback this can be worked into something we can standardize for everyone to use. Let me know your opinions and what I missed from the non-clay chip categories.
-Tyson
Having said all of that, here is my attempt at an official chip condition rating system. The way I intended this be used is to list either the category number or name plus modifier if applicable. So for example, if I cleaned and oiled a rack of Jack Detroit $500's that I've put in play twice, they would rate as 2/C/O (or excellent C/O) meaning excellent condition, cleaned and oiled.
The conditions and modifiers are as follows:
Condition 1 - Mint
This is the least subjective category. Mint chips are mint, meaning they've never seen any use. They've never been handled or have very minimal handling. They show no wear whatsoever and remain in unaltered factory condition. These chips may be chalky from the manufacturing process. They are flawless aside from natural manufacturing irregularities. There is no ambiguity, anything other than looking at means chips are no longer mint. This category is synonymous with brand new, untouched, unboxed, chalky. This condition commands a premium in sales.
Condition 2 - Excellent
Similar to mint but have been handled; with or without play. Any cleaning, oiling or significant handling of mint chips would fall in this category. No or very minimal signs of wear. These chips are very sharp with no or minimal flea bites. No major flaws and almost no minor flaws. Strong cross hatching. Should not have seen enough use to get dirty. Synonymous with unplayed, near mint, new, sharp. This condition commands a premium in sales.
Condition 3 - Good
These chips have fairly sharp edges. They will all stand on edge with little to some effort. They will have flea bites, scuffs, and be dirty, but absent of major flaws and are flat. Cross hatching is still strong but may be slightly worn back from the edges and not as strong as an excellent or mint chip. Mold features are mostly unaffected. These chips are in good enough condition to be considered "nice" but also broken in enough to play with. Synonymous with used, nice. This condition does not command a premium in sales but is also not detrimental.
Condition 4 - Casino Used
These chips are not display pieces, they are meant for play. They have seen heavy use with edges rounded enough that most will not stand on edge. They will be very dirty, but have some life left and are typically economical. Flea bites and chips are common but may be less noticeable due to overall wear and rounding. Some visible cross hatching remains but offers little feel. Mold features show wear. Synonymous with worn, used. This condition will diminish value in sales.
Condition 5 - Poor
These chips will be very dirty, smooth, and rounded. No chance that any stand on edge. Cross hatching is barely visible or gone completely. The mold itself will show significant wear. They are at the end of the chip lifecycle. In addition to wear, this category includes other major flaws such as warping, staining, water damage, etc. Synonymous with worn, bicycle tires, damaged. This condition will significantly diminish value in sales.
Modifier C - Cleaned
Chips cleaned in any common method including ultrasonic and hand scrubbing. This generally improves appearance but may result in fading. Cleaning will not improve condition category but may improve value. Cleaned chips can never be mint.
Modifier O - Oiled
Chips oiled to boost color and improve feel. Oiling will not improve condition category but may improve value. Oiled chips can never be mint.
Modifier A - Altered
A large category that includes inlay removal/replacement, milling, overlabeling, cancellation, etc. Alterations may or may not be reversible and may or may not affect value in either direction. Modifications should always be clearly stated along with condition rating in any listing. If a chip is modified into another, the original chip should always be stated. Altered chips can never be mint.
At minimum these are the ratings I have in mind when I'm looking to buy chips. Maybe with a little feedback this can be worked into something we can standardize for everyone to use. Let me know your opinions and what I missed from the non-clay chip categories.
-Tyson
