We've all seen the stuff we collect go for astronomical prices on eBay, but let's not forget that we're not the only ones who access eBay to look for chips, tokens and other casino memorabilia.

To a film historian who has never heard of a "Paul-Son," a set of James Bond "Licence to Kill" chips may be worth substantially more than they are to a chip collector who knows he can go to the Paul-Son retail store in Las Vegas to purchase them at 65c each.

To a biographer of Ben Siegel - or a relative, for example - the two chips in the e-Bay auction might be worth more than they are to us.

One of the advantages of eBay is that it expands the market for every kind of collectible, not just casino material.

But that listing brings up a related question. Since we've been talking about definitions here recently, I shook my head when I saw a Carson City chip and a Las Vegas chip, both $5's, called a "set" in the description.

What's a "set" of chips? We use the term rather loosely ourselves! Supposing someone has a $1, $5 and $25 to sell or trade? Is that a set of chips from that casino? Not to me - not if we know that there's also a 50c, $100 and $500 issued by that casino.

To confuse things further (I guess I'm feeling a bit impish this morning), supposing a casino has issued chips in two different mold designs - the Sheraton Desert Inn, for example. Are two $5's (one with the H&C rim and the other with the house mold) a "set"?

'Course, any responses to this note are welcome to say "who cares?"!

Michael