... re-reading an earlier post by someone else which influenced my previous thinking ... "The key here I think is from the words used by the seller himself when David Spragg called him he said.” If you cut them out of the plastic they will only be worth half as much.”

"CUT THEM OUT OF THE PLASTIC" led me to believe that these chips are sealed in the holder (like a slab) and were not housed in easily removable snap type holders.