Charles, Let me try to explain the Dixie Duck chip situation.
1. Original rack pictured in Lighterman, Ginsburg, Lighterman, was in use when the boat began sailing from Key West.
2. Partners in the operation had a falling out & President & C.O.O. Richard Meisenheimer got the boat, tables & slots machines. He did not have the original rack which may hav been taken by the other partner. The second partner did have the original Dixie Duck $.25 slot tokens.
3. The Dixie Duck sailed for a short time under the new management & was then bought out by Coastal Gaming. who issued their own "ugly" chips, but did retain the Dixie Duck name.
4. Coastal Gaming either went out of business or simply stopped operations in Key West.
5. The Dixie Duck remained in the Key West harbor for a few more months until it was taken over by the Coast Guard or IRS.
What now exists are the "hoard" of $.25 slot tokens held in safe keeping by a Florida chipper & the Coastal Gaming chips, which are now considered obsolete. The original rack is thought to be in a warehouse in Key West.
These & other fascinating stories will be included in the second edition of "A Guide to Florida's Gaming, Chips, Checks & Tokens" by Lighterman, Ginsburg & Lighterman. All chips issued by day cruise boats, parimutual facilities, & Indian casinos will be pictured in full color. There is an extensive history section with pictures of illegal casinos, their chips (if available), day cruise chronology, & all of the parimutual chips. The parimutual section, will cover the history of the plants, along with pictures of the facilities themselves, as well as never before seen artifacts, gathered through exhaustive research at numerous historical societies. It will be the most extensive examination of Florida chips issued to date. Work on the book has been ongoing for 2 years & we hope to have a prototype available at the convention for your inspection. This effort has taken a great deal of time & we have set accuracy of all information, as our number one priority.