>When 6 boxes show up, it doesn't much matter what grade that $2000 chip has. It just took a dive

so lets I have that $2,000 chip when six boxes show up. What if my chip has an excellent hotstamp and the six boxes which show up all have really weak hotstamps. My chip still will take a dive, but it still is probably going to command a higher price then all the other chips with a weak a hotstamp.

condition is irrelevent only as long as there are no chips available in significantly better condition. If the chip is unique -- condition is largely irrelevent. If there are 50 known specimens -- which one would you rather have the one that is in the best condition of the 50 or the one that is in the worst condition?

If offered a choice between the best of 50 and the worst of 50 you would take the best. The real question is how much more would you be willing to pay for it.