Here is the whole story.
They were made for and sold in Mark Karoll's Gift Shop.
_____________________________
I feel certain some new chippers on the BB have no idea why I interfered in this auction.
Look on page 83 of TCR 8th edition, you will see the FQ’s Pai-Gow 25¢ chips listed:
A value-$1 each
Souvenir chips
See note #10 – on page 391

Note #10: The FQ’s 25¢ Pai-Gow 2000 & 2001 chips: Our information indicates that these chips were ordered by the FQ’s, but were not intended for gaming use. We have learned that a senior employee at the FQ’s purchased all of the chips delivered to the cage, and controls the entire available supply. We list these two chips as the equivalent of souvenirs, and have valued them as such.

Mark, do you deny that you are that senior employee, mentioned in Note #10?
Do you deny that you sold at least 80 sets of the two chips into our hobby at $3 to $15 per chip?
Do you deny that a number of our courageous LV dealers refused to buy these chips and resell them into the hobby?

IMO, these chips were a hoax committed against our hobby. I see this auction as a shot at legitimizing a hoax, at the expense of one of the largest crimes ever committed against the American people.

Questions:
Where are the other 420 sets of these chips?
Are they sitting in a drawer somewhere waiting for the chance to sell them into the hobby at $3 to $15 per chip?
Was this that chance?
Did upper management even know the chips were made, before the hoax was exposed, by some of our honorable LV chip dealers?
Why doesn’t the FQ’s release the remainder of the Pai-Gow chips into the hobby at face value? IMO, that would end this fiasco.
Why haven’t you made an attempt to explain this fiasco? IMO, that could end this hoax.

I and others have very strong feelings about our hobby.
What are your feelings about our hobby?

The American Red cross will now receive $100 because of this auction.

“but perhaps it could have been 10x higher, if you didn't interfere with the auction process.”

Are you really suggesting that this auction could have closed at $1,000? FOR, two chips listed in TCR at $1 each.

“I'm sorry that you feel so strongly about certain chips that you would want to thwart the good deeds of the American Red Cross.”

Yes, I feel very strongly about certain chips that were designed and made for the sole purpose of perpetrating a hoax on our hobby.

I am very surprised that you, a senior employee of the Four Queens, would expose your employer to all the bad publicity that was generated over these chips since the hoax was uncovered. I am very surprised that you, a senior employee of the Four Queens, would even think about equating this hoax to donations to the Red Cross.

That said:
As most on this BB know I have strong ties and respect for the Four Queens.
This letter should not be taken as a statement against the Four Queens. It should not be taken as a statement against their LE chip program. It is entirely a statement against the Pai-Gow 25¢ chips and whomever, is responsible for perpetrating this hoax..
I apologize to the Four Queens and its President, (I hope we are still friends) for posting this letter in an open forum. It should not have happened. Mark Karoll chose to open this can of worms with his post and requested I reply on this BB.

Look at the thread, no one posted bad comments about the FQ’s before Mark Karoll interjected his thoughts.

______
Subj: Re: I'll donate $50 ...

Date: 15-Sep-01 10:30:32 PM Pacific Daylight Time

From: MMK8

To: poker@lvcm.com

Dear Gene -

I'm shocked, stunned, and amazed that you would not want to see an auction that benefits those

poor souls suffering from the devestation that was wrought at the WTC this past Tuesday from

reaching its maximum value. Your $50 donation is appreciated, but perhaps it could have been 10x

higher, if you didn't interfere with the auction process. I would be very interested in knowing why you

chose to limit the potential donations to the American Red Cross.

Kind regards,

Mark Karoll

P.S. I'm sorry that you feel so strongly about certain chips that you would want to thwart the good

deeds of the American Red Cross. Personally, I would have thought that in this time all AMERICANS

would want to present a united front against terrorists.

P.P.S. If you choose to post this email on the "chipboard" I would appreciate if you would post it in

full.

Re: I'll donate $50 ... Posted By: Gene Trimble-Slabfree Chapter CM 1 (24.234.166.96)

Date: 9/15/01 3:14 p.m. In Response To: I'll go $50 ... (Rich Hanover LM-4191-28)

...to the Red Cross if this auction does not get a bid.
____-
IMO the FQ’s has suffered enough bad publicity over the Pai-Gow chips.
IMO the suffering will continue until someone attempts to make it right.

Offer a Dutch auction starting at $4 per set. (I each of the 2000 & 2001). Buyers to pay actual postage.
All proceeds going to the Red Cross earmarked for New York/Washington.
Limit one set per person. Something over 400 sets would produce a minimum of $1,600 for the relief fund.

This would allow the chips to float in the market and obtain a true value.
I and others would lobby the authors of TCR to remove Note #10.

I think one of our NIS LV dealers would volunteer to handle the mailing and the donations.