Hi Thom,
Ernie Wheelden, Michael Knapp, Howdy Herz, Ralph Pollack, CT Bob Ginsberg, myself, and many others have tried to invent a numbering system that can be used for all jurisdictions. Most of us feel that no system can be found that is easy to use and one that WOULD be used by collectors. No one is going to memorize all of the numbers, so all codes will have to be looked up on a list. KMW, primarily, Ernie Wheelden, formulated the TCR numbering system, using a letter for the jurisdiction ("N" or "V" for Nevada) and 4 arbitrary numbers.

Your system would add 2 more numbers (we have 1 letter & 4 numbers) to define the denomination, casino, city & variation. I don't think that it is possible unless you are only going to define the location and denom. as Howdy did, with a combination of 5 and another 5 for the chip. We can't see the advantage of using a long code when it gives you minimal clues as to the chip definition. No matter what, we are still going to have to use a list to ascertain what chip we are referring to.

Most books or price guides are of a particular location, which is a given. We decided that a letter and 4 numbers will pin-point 9,999 chips per letter. When TCR goes over 20,000 chips in a year or so, we will add a third letter. We have an index in the book which will give you the casino name and location.

Another major problem with using any system but arbitrary numbers, is in adding new chips being made and even more problems when a "new" old chip is discovered. With your system, you will not have enough leverage to add more chips. A sequentual system is fine for the hobbys of stamps or coins because there are no "new finds." Every coin or stamp has been documented and accounted for.

Don't give up, Thom. I sincerely hope that you can come up with something that will work for all jurisdictions of chips. I just wanted you to know that it has been experimented with before and so far, no one has been able to improve on what we have. Thanks