Pete, I completely agree: this chip is not from Las Vegas. You're right: much too early for the club Tony Cornero opened in the Apache Hotel after his gambling ships off the coast of California were shut down in the late 1930's.

I have this chip, and I have it attributed to Reno. I've never been able to get confirmation, though.

Actually, the Las Vegas "Rex Club" was also known as the S. S. Rex Club, and that's what the sign on the outside said. The chips that say S. S. Rex are large crown chips. My theory is that Cornero had them made for the gambling ship, but that it was shut down before the chips actually made it aboard. He either took delivery of them in Las Vegas or brought them with him, and it made sense to give the club the same name so he could use the chips he already had!

Michael