Good question, and good answers. I am no expert in these things, for sure, but I'll add these points:

(1) I wouldn't pay anything (or more than $1) for an uninteresting hot-stamped monogram chip with a mold that could not easily be traced..

(2) Thus, I would pay a few bucks for a hub mold chip, for example, where there are records to trace it. Maybe it would turn out to be a great find. Incidentally, it would be nice if someone made a list of those molds that can be traced and who has the records for the mold!

(3) I'd pay up to $5 for a simple INLAID monogram chip (say, "A B"), and about $15-$20 for a UFC crest and seal.

(4) Another factor is whether the UFC (hot-stamped or inlaid) has an interesting picture or a club name on it. That would be much better than a simple initial(s). A name could be researched.

Robert