Pete,
I am well aware of the history of the MGM.
I was working at the Holiday Center Strip (now Harrahs) when the fire started. I stood in front of the Barbarby Coast and watched the whole shebang.
That does not change the value of the chips.
If you want to pay book price $10 to $15, I imagine you can find at least 100 at Arizona Charlies chip show in two weeks.
BTW, there are 2 different ones. Large lion head and small lion head. Both valued the same.