I do not believe entirely in the "basic goodness of mankind", on the otherhand can we decide so quickly that, "surely this is a doctored chip just because it has to be." I suppose it would be decent to simply e-mail the seller and ask for provenance and at the same time ask the seller to sign a written statement (after or before the sale) to the effect:

"To the best of my knowledge this chip has not undergone any cleaning, repairing or alterations, both during and before its possesion by me."

Are we so certain that anything rare now must be a phony, if so why are we buying chips at all. A Landmark chip that I bought at the chip show in Las Vegas for $80.00 surely would be one where it was worthwile to clean, alter or otherwise enhance its appearnace. So from now on I only buys chips directly from the Casino Cage? NOT!

Sheldon