Rick: The term "Silver Strike" (to me) is a generic term ... like "Band Aid".... but we all know that ALL adhesive gauze strips are not all Band-Aids.... and one-pound hunks of silver medallions which are NOT dispensed from a slot machine does not make a "silver strike" ... (to my way of thinking) .... but in no way am I suggesting that they are not collectible. If one enjoys collecting them ... that's fine. Enjoy your collecting pursuits.

However, if a collector wants to trade ten $10 silver strikes for ten $10 casino chips ... that does not translate into casino chips now becoming silver strikes.... so what's the difference if someone wants to exchange 20 $10 "Silver Strikes" for a one-pound hunk of silver? Does that automatically make the one-pound hunk of silver eligible for SSOTY?

Obviously this issue IS of some importance to those who have posted about it. True, it's not a life-threatening issue ... but neither is being involved in ANY hobby ... "life-threatening".

There is a SSOTY 2001 deadline of March 30th coming up that can't wait until the Chapter officers get together at the annual convention in June. Officers are elected to decide issues such as this on behalf of the members who voted them into office. I believe that not every issue that comes up for a vote should first be put before the membership. That is why we have elections of club and Chapter officers.... and Senators and Congress representatives and Boards of Education, and city councils, and mayors and thousands of other elected officials in our democratic system of government and society .... to make decisions.

I understand and appreciate that to some individuals in our hobby .... nothing is important! All they want to do is be left alone to wheel and deal and buy, sell and trade. I believe that there is much more to being involved in an organized hobby than that. Just my candid opinion....