This chip has been discussed on the board before. I have been in touch with Ernest Marquez, who has spent 10 years researching the gambling ships that operated off the California coast in the 1930's. His book on them will be a must read for Ca and illegal collectors as soon as it is finished.

The MSC chips were delivered to the Muskogee Social Club in 1930, 1,000 chips, 1 year before the Monte Carlo sailed. Also an Auto Park in LA Ca in 1938, 2 years after the Monte Carlo sank, 500 chips. Total 6 colors, no green. There are no connections between the 2 men that received these chips and the Monte Carlo, that can be found to date. 6 colors, 1,500 chips are just about enough to operate a poker game, if you put the 2 orders together. BTW, there were no green chips in either order. A 3rd order was delivered somewhere.

Quote Ernest Marquez:
I am still not convinced the chips with MSC were really used on board. I have
no proof only a feeling based on my research of the owners and the type of
gambling ship the Monte Carlo was. The Monte Carlo opened for business off
Long Beach, California, May 7, 1932. It was reachable by water taxi from
the dock at 1375 West Seventh Street, Long Beach. The owners were Ed V.
Turner, a gambler and Marvin "Doc" Schouweiler, a rumrunner during
prohibition and a partner in the Johanna Smith the first real gambling ship
that opened in 1927.

The life of the Monte Carlo ended January 1, 1936 when she broke her anchor
chains in a terrific storm New Years Eve night. The storm washed the
concrete hulled vessel ashore. She beached on the Silver Strand near the
Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. The waves completely wrecked the wooden
structure housing the gambling casino and washed it and all the furniture,
gambling equipment, etc. ashore. The concrete hull broke in half thus
ending any hope to float her away. The hull slowly sank into the sand and
is still there today. A storm during El Nino in 1983 uncovered her and she
has risen to the surface a couple times since then.

The Monte Carlo was no small enterprise. It was the biggest and best at the time she was operating. I can't help but wonder if they would use such plain chips in such a first class casino.

From the very beginning I have been skeptical regarding the MSC chips. I would be most grateful if you would keep me informed as to the identity of the chips. Sometimes chips become what collectors want them to be rather than what they originally were. Sorry I can't be more positive but I won't guess or insist something is this or that when I don't know for sure. Ernie M

More in part 2.