It is great to see this history info. on here. This is how I got into chips. Through learning history & collecting postcards & pictures. I probably have more gaming research info. than anyone for Elko county & surrounding areas. Weeks of daily research was done. There is a wealth of info. at the museum there if you can get to it. I think early on Pioneer did have games. Most hotels only had poker and used money & probably plain chips. Gaming in towns like Deeth goes back to the 20's. I do not have this info. with me but could write a book on all the facts I have.
There are tons of chips & gaming memorabilia out there that has not been discovered yet. Most early clubs used the plain chips but I bet some had their names. It is odd early clubs would have dice with names but we have not found chips yet for gaming clubs throughout Nevada.
There are postcards of Mayer Hotel. Also Pioneer.