Thinking about what makes the most valuable chips valuable, it seems to me that it is a combination of history and beauty. Specifically, the historical significance of the casino or the operators is important. For example, the early Flamingo metal die chips are valuable because they score highly on the above two counts. It is kind of an unfair comparison since limited edition (LE) chips haven't been around very long. None the less, one wonders if anyone will associate any real significance to the 4 Queens $5 Arbor Day chip.

Regardless, the multitude of LE chips available today does get people interested in chip collecting. Some percentage of those people will get into it in such a way as to truly benefit the hobby. So even though many of the chips will be of no significant value, they provide the hobby with an enormous service. But by the same token, it does the hobby a disservice by flooding the market with chips of limited value. (To say nothing of using up all the N and V numbers in TCR!)

Regardless, I like the limited edition chips I have collected off of tables because when I look at them, I remember the sessions in which I collected them. The same is true for most of the chips in my collection that have come straight from table play. So as far as I am concerned, I'm keeping mine. And I am sure I will continue to collect them. I especially enjoy those that commemorate events that happen on or near my visit to Las Vegas or Reno. They may not have huge historical significance to the mainstream of chipperdom, but they carry some to me.

What will it be like in ten years? Good gravy! It's hard to predict what it will be like in three years! Time will tell though . . .

- Pat