I'll mount my soapbox to elaborate on my thoughts regarding slabbing. In sum, I believe the adopted CCA position (just look at top right hand corner of this page) ruined the market for valuable rare and historic casino chips.

The best resource I have found concerning chip slabbing is a series of articles that appeared in the Spring 2001 issue of Casino Chip and Token News. It contains several articles pertaining to the slabbing issue authored by prominent self-proclaimed experts including my former Arch enemy Mr. Black. As an aside, I'd like to think we may now be reconciled.

Following Archie's exemplary description of slabbing is an article by a self-professed coin doctor (a person who alters coins in a deceptive manner with the objective of fooling people into buying at an inflated value). After expressing his objections, author Jame Periowski said the concept of slabbing made him "sick"!

Next in the magazine was a form to join the "Slabfree Chapter". Utter nonsense and a BIG mistake IMO.

The flnal article by Howard Herz is an informative history of slabs as they pertain to rare coins. Acknowledging that slabbing chips "would be a benefit in the areas of preservation and authentication" the author seemingly takes a neutral position regarding slabbing stating that it "may become the vehicle that will give a rough ride to many sincere collectors."

So, that is what I have been able to garner regarding the background log the slab controversy. Surely others who were involved will have their own "take" on the situation. They were there - I wasn't.

Now, fast-forward a quarter century and marvel at the slabbed sports and collector card market. Slabbing has created a market for sports and other collectable cards of momentous proportion. With a not-so-rare slabbed 1952 Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps baseball card in extraordinary 9.5 mint condition bringing $12.6 million, imagine what truly rare authentic slabbed casino chips could be worth in pristine condition!

The ship already has left the dock and I doubt any of the major slabbing companies would take on casino chips at this late date. The hobby/biz is just too small and inconsequential.

Talk about opportunities missed!

Maybe this will engender some spirited discussion and, perhaps, a healthy debate!