Poker Chip Grading Scale (1 Viewer)

jamesjkim

jamesjkim

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So… I haven’t been here for very long but I’ve searched and couldn’t find a grading scale for chips!

Can some of our resident experts/veterans chime in with examples of their thoughts on what is what? It would be great to have a consistent understanding of chip conditions to not only make it easier for newer chippers but make selling/buying a little more precise than the current “view pics for condition” (although it’s usually good enough).

Most other markets/hobbies have fairly clear definitions of used condition (cars, sporting equipment, etc).

A grading scale would take a lot of the guesswork out of the buying/selling process. Or maybe this has already been discussed and there’s reason for it not existing officially.
 
I'll start with the obvious, and this is by no means exhaustive, just a start.

1) Mint = New, never circulated, never felted by any owner

2) LN = (for "Like New," or whatever acronym you choose) As new, but, played in a few home games. Ex. Uncirculated secondary chips that have been used in a handful of home games.

3) VGU = Very Good Used condition, as used for a short period before being harvested, or, used in home games and showing more wear than above.

4) CU1= Casino Used showing some rounding of edges, small flea bites, stack shorter than the above.

5) CU2 = Bike tires, lots of bites, discolorations, used up and beat to hell.
 
Or you can go with how people sometimes list their chips :p

1. Mint: Ranges from actually unplayed to played often at home games but hard to tell from pictures.
2. Near mint: A bs term to mean not mint but I want you to think of the chips as mint.
3. Excellent condition: Anything above casino used.
 
@Bluegrass Poker 100% if they are relabeled/overlabeed/murdered they should never be called Mint. If you are selling this type of chip you should only use Mint to describe the condition before the conversion took place.

Ex: For Sale Relabel TP

I have 2 racks of TP chips that were murdered and relabeled as blah, blah, blah...these chips were Mint before I gave them a gender identity change. Therefore, they have been soiled, but, retain their structural integrity.
 
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Tonysquander said:
It has been discussed and there is no solution other than caveat emptor. Ask for more pictures and make your own determination of condition.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/poker-chip-condition-rating.72928/
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Thanks for sharing the thread! TLDR: mint descriptor is overused?

KHarp1 said:
I'll start with the obvious, and this is by no means exhaustive, just a start.

1) Mint = New, never circulated, never felted by any owner

2) LN = (for "Like New," or whatever acronym you choose) As new, but, played in a few home games. Ex. Uncirculated secondary chips that have been used in a handful of home games.

3) VGU = Very Good Used condition, as used for a short period before being harvested, or, used in home games and showing more wear than above.

4) CU1= Casino Used showing some rounding of edges, small flea bites, stack shorter than the above.

5) CU2 = Bike tires, lots of bites, discolorations, used up and beat to hell.
Click to expand...
This is a great list! Stack height reference on CU1 is a good point. I have sharper chips that are a touch shorter in height than mint.
 
Mint is very rare, (mainly talking about older chips, not all the various group buys) sure, they look mint, but they really are not. Unless you are getting those chips direct from the factory, as the first owner, but many things can happen between owners. What's the big deal if they are dead mint, vs slightly used, but still look mint. Everyone wants a virgin. I like used , can usually get it cheaper. ....... just waiting for Roc and his little quote thingy
 
@ovo This is not in alignment with the coin collecting world where, obviously, the term "mint" originates. Most of the grading systems in numismatics state that mint is the condition at the time it was made. There is no provision for "from the factory to the first owner."

At the time it was made can still mean it has markings that some might consider flawed. Scratches from equipment at certain presses, coins that were stored in bags at the treasury, etc. There are many coins that trade as mint that have had numerous owners.
 
KHarp1 said:
@ovo This is not in alignment with the coin collecting world where, obviously, the term "mint" originates. Most of the grading systems in numismatics state that mint is the condition at the time it was made. There is no provision for "from the factory to the first owner."

At the time it was made can still mean it has markings that some might consider flawed. Scratches from equipment at certain presses, coins that were stored in bags at the treasury, etc. There are many coins that trade as mint that have had numerous owners.
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Coins are different, and have many levels of Mint State. I don't think chips need that kind of scrutiny. Coins are moved around in bags which leave markings, chips are packed better from the factory, and sure, there can still be some markings on mint chips from the factory, but it's rare. In my opinion, just show a pic of your chips for sale and say very slightly used.
 
Yeah, but then what would be the purpose of a thread entitled Poker Chip Grading Scale?
 
Start with the CCA chip condition. Beyond that, no one can agree to further official definitions, so “see photos” is unfortunately the best alternative. IMO if seller wants to convince potential buyers chips are brand new from factory never played or shuffled, he’ll need closeup photos of the edges.
 
"See photos" shouldn't be viewed as a sad alternative. It's the best, most accurate information. Words are fairly worthless in comparison. If you're new to chipping and don't know what you're looking at, ask for somebody to take a look and explain what they see.
 
I agree with the statements about pics, if you're newish here please make sure you see pics of the actual items you're thinking about buying. It would be great in an ideal world if there was a grading system and you could just read and make an informed purchase from a universal grading system, but, that's not where we live. Get pics. Top, stacked barrels and front and back of those barrels, if purchasing multiple chips. Most people here can be trusted, but until you have time in and get to know folks you should also ask for a pic with a piece of paper with the sellers user name and date. There's been the occasional scoundrel posing as a good chipper, so protect yourself.

Most people that I've dealt with here have been great to deal with. I've made some new friends, had some laughs, and spent way more than I ever thought I ever would on chips. Most folks won't mind sending you pics of their chips because they're somewhat degen and enjoy showing the chips they've spent a lot of money on.

OP, your definition of a great looking chip may be different than mine, so don't trust anyone elses definition .
 
IMG_2351.jpeg
 
Most PCFers actually use their sets. So unless someone is hoarding dead mint sets for some archival or investment purpose, I’m not sure why there’s such fixation on 100% purity in the coin-collector sense.

So I don’t mind the various terms of art like minty, near mint, etc. as long as the seller is being honest and not exaggerating.

I don’t really care if the chips have been handled or even played a few times—they are going to get handled and played a lot more once I get them.

A chip which has been used 6-12 times is arguably more playable than dead mint ones, which shuffle poorly and whose perfectly sharp edges nip at your fingers. The break-in period kind of sucks TBH.

If a rack has fleabites or worn hats or checkmarks or spinners or visible rounding, needs deep cleaning, has faded hotstamps, or has other flaws, that what buyers urgently need to see in advance. That’s where accurate descriptions and clear photos matter to me, not whether I’m going to get them in an original box with dust still on the chips.

I mainly want to know not whether chips are dead mint, but whether they have only been “lightly used.” Are the chips already worn to a point where further play is going to make them noticeably degraded, or do they look close to new?

Terms like excellent, very good, good condition etc. are best illustrated with pictures, since those introduce more subjective opinion.

Realistically, my main sets may get into play several hundred times if I keep them long enough. That’s just not going to be enough to turn near mints into bicycle tires.

……….

On the topic of murdered/milled chips, I kind of disagree with the earlier point about them never being described as minty.

Say a chip has never been played, but only handled enough to perform inlay removal. It otherwise has perfectly sharp edges, no fleabites, no boogers, no rounding, etc.

I am comfortable with someone referring to these as mint, mint-y, near mint, whatever, as long as it is clear that it was murdered. I want to know the condition of the “clay,” not the inlay (unless a sloppy job of murder damaged said clay).

Plus it is normally very obvious when a chip does not have its original inlay, except in the rare cases of people relabeling with a facsimile design to mix with a traditional set.
 
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There is no standard grading because the hobby has successfully resisted slabbing. My nice single chips are all exposed to air, I handle them regularly, and the condition has not degraded even .01 on a 10-scale on any of them. This can never be true for almost all other collectibles such as on card action figures, coins, ccg cards, stamps, or sports cards.
 
FDLmold said:
There is no standard grading because the hobby has successfully resisted slabbing. My nice single chips are all exposed to air, I handle them regularly, and the condition has not degraded even .01 on a 10-scale on any of them. This can never be true for almost all other collectibles such as on card action figures, coins, ccg cards, stamps, or sports cards.
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It’s crazy (and good) we have avoided slabbing
 
A member once offered these chips to me and claimed them as mint. They originally provided me with pictures of the faces and only sent me this photo after asking for it. When I questioned their assessment of "near mint/mint" they told me that chip condition is "subjective" and basically doubled down. I don't know much around here but I know that these chips should never, ever be referred to as mint.

Be careful out there, folks.

1000004032.jpg
 
jpietrella said:
A member once offered these chips to me and claimed them as mint. They originally provided me with pictures of the faces and only sent me this photo after asking for it. When I questioned their assessment of "near mint/mint" they told me that chip condition is "subjective" and basically doubled down. I don't know much around here but I know that these chips should never, ever be referred to as mint.

Be careful out there, folks.

View attachment 1278034
Click to expand...
Like my favourite margarine spread, those chips are "buttery"
 

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