Mark,
Everything has at least three values; 1. Sentimental value; 2. market value; and 3. intrinsic value. My chips are divided into two groups: 1. my colection, and 2. my traders.

For the areas I collect, the intrinsic and market values of my collection chips are relatively meaningless because the sentimental value or affinity I've put on that chip will keep it in my collection regardless of what someone may be willing to pay for it.

For my traders, the opposite is true; the market value and intrinsic value are important to me to insure any trades I make are relatively fair to both trading parties. For the most part, I don't have any sentiment or affinity for my trading stock. They are just a means to an end of acquiring the chips I want to add to my collection and they also support the fun part of the hobby which is interacting with fellow chippers.

Ron