The Nugget chip post from yesterday brought up a point of which I have yet to get a clear understanding.

HAT & CANE molds...

I realize they are not very common (that's a joke) but how can you distinguish the variations, particularly when you don't have others to compare the chip in question?

Secondly, why are the long cane and short cane variations used in the production of the same chip? The $4 Strat chip for example. I understand that H&C(CJ) is the shiny hat, Christy and Jones, but when it just says H&C does it imply the LCV or the SCV? I know that is a lot of questions, but any assistance would be greatly appreciated.