Around the 13th or so, I posted a question from Ben Pearlman sent to CASINO: I asked for your help. Here is Ben's original message:

"I just came across a Money Tree $5 chip (N-6874) that has 'DS' branded on one side. The letters are Roman (w/serif) and were obviously hot stamped into the chip. They're perfectly clear...no colored dye within the letters. The other side of the chip is perfectly normal.

"Has anybody seen this before and do they know what DS stands for? Is this some form of cancellation, or somebody's initials? I'm interested in finding out if this has raised or lowered the value of my chip."

One or more of you [The June 13th thread has been archived and I am too lazy to look it up] suggested that I contact Donald Spencer as he might be the "owner" of "DS." I did and this is his reply [I gather he is not on-line--I couldn't find him listed on CHEQUERS].

"I purchased seereal Mapes Hotel & Money Tree chips from Bill Borland (Las Vegas) who hot stamped the chips with my initials (DS)."

So that resolves the mystery of "DS." But what about the impact, if any, on "value?" Ben's other question was whether it raised or lowered the value of his chip?