The stuff is a "manufactured collectible" one step behind Franklin Mint swag.

From Chipco's own web site:

"Today, casinos around the world are using CHIPCO chips not only as transaction pieces, but also as a source for generating additional revenue through chip collecting."

Pretty clear what they are doing IMO. Do the math - 5,000 gaming pieces at $25 face, costing less than $2 per to manufacture.

Hmmmm, over 100 large clear with nary a spin of the roulette wheel or a tossing of a pasteboard. Great work if you can get it - oh and of course the adulation of some collectors.

I'll take a 1st issue Landmark, Golden Nugget or Silver Slipper any day of the week over what I consider "cartoon" chips put out by the Palms, HR or most other Chipco customers. They just give me that "velvet Elvis" feeling.

On the other hand - many, many collectors love HR chips and there is a market for them, but as someone pointed out, there WAS a market for Beabie Babies at one time as well.

To each their own.

JMO

Best wishes,

Sonny