Check this out:)

[pphillips12]

[pphillips12]

I had this part number listed in my guide for years and finally took it out about a year ago because I couldn't verify it actually existed.

I knew the MC8080A/B (c) Intel '74 existed but not the earlier
Intel MC8080A with no copyright and without the /B testing procedure
(mil temp only).

I'll bet there's an Intel MC8080A/B without the (c) Intel '74 out there somewhere too.

The moral of this story is just because it's not in my guide does not mean it dosen't exist. The guide contains verified part numbers that I have seen or verified because of they are still in stocked at enough sources that the part number is unlikely to be a typo.

That said, there are a number of part numbers that I "suspect" may exist but which are not included in my guide because I have not been able to verify them.

Finding a chip like this, that you've suspected may exist, after years of looking for it, is what makes chip collecting so much fun.

[CPUShack]

very very early date code as well, very interesting.

and I agree I very rarely see 'M' chips with out the /B testing spec.

What board is it in?

[pphillips12]

It's a homebrewed wirewrap board that was made by the seller back in the 70's.

[popo]

WOW!!

Where did you get this baby?

[pphillips12]

From the best place to find the really rare stuff, in the basements, closets, and attics of retired electronic engineers:)

That's where most of the really good stuff is coming from now. Collectors have pretty much bought up all the really rare stuff that distributors had in stock.

When you find one of these guys, ask them do they still keep in touch with any of their co-workers from back in the 70's. Ask them to forward an email to these old co-workers explaining that some of the old chips they have might be valuable. In the email ask that those getting the email send it to anyone they know that might be sitting on old chips.
Put a link to a high dollar EBAY auction of a vintage chip in the email.

If you are lucky, the email will spread, like a chain letter and soon you'll
get some emails from some people with some nice chips they want to sell.

[pphillips12]

Here's another one from my collection popo.

[chipcollector]

Put a high dollar??
Thanks for the tip, but wouldn't you think if they see a price like that, they would start collecting? Or better, sell it on ebay themselves? I don't have a lot of money going towards the chip budget. Mingling is what I'd rather do

[CPUShack]

Made 4 months later and they got the /B spec in, thats about one production run later.

[pphillips12]

A lot of the engineers that worked with microchips in the 70's are now in their 70's.

These guys usually don't show much interest in getting into chip collecting.
Most are actually surprized that the old chips are worth anything, and many of them would rather sell directly to someone they feel will make them a fair offer then deal with EBAY auctions.

There are cases where I could "take" some of these guys simply because they have no idea what some old chips are worth. I've paid some retired engineers $500 for chips they probably would have sold me for $50 but
I'm trying to build a reputation with these guys as someone that will make them a fair offer.

[chipcollector]

Phillips you're right in a way. I would pay the man $500 for a chip worth $1000, but not if it's worth $500, because what's the point of paying the exact value when it can be purchased on ebay for that kind of money, occasionally? Unless it's a chip no one has seen before, and you decide to pay a grand for it, but it's still a chip no one has seen before, and you could be paying $1000 for something that will be worth $10 in the near future? (i.e P + D 4****'s)

Chipcollecting is like gambling, sometimes you have to save the money incase the the bet goes bad, so you're able to get on your feet again.

[chipcollector]

P.S is my avatar cool or what? ( Running Tiger ) ( See the cool smiley face? It means I'm beeing cool right now ).

[gshv]

[popo]

[gmanbc]