I was wondering if anything had changed. Tokens are fun, but heavy. Finding them in very good condition, not all nicked and scraped, was never that easy. They aren't likely to be "rare" and valuable. I agree, that collecting the ones that were used in slot machines and on tables, would be for real and the commemoratives would be an extension of that. (not of interest to those who collect actual gaming artifacts)

Mostly I was wondering if the phenomenon of, now that we can't get them, they are more desirable, had come into play, like it does for just about everything else in the world.

Like everything else, IMHO, I do this collecting because it's fun, entertaining, educational, interesting and CHEAP!

Part Duex:

Skip Barber racing school, formerly Barber Dodge cars, now Barber Mazda, in this case it was regional racing at Road America, last of the season, from about pit out, flagging station Alpha. I was flagging not photographing, so I grabbed a few shots for the collection, and went back to what I was supposed to be doing. Best seat in the house, and of course it's right up against the wall, inside the catch fence, and you can't sit. Otherwise, got a great tan. I did over 40 days this Summer out on the corners. (shot moving panoramas of some of them, during the breaks.) plus at least a dozen race weekends, inside control, running computers and Timing and Scoring. Three events as working media, taking photos and writing.