... about a reverse process known, I seriosly doubt the breakdown would come close enough to the chip's original state.

There are some embedded chips that are worth more than the examples unembeded.

I've had several Puerto Rico presentation pieces that sold for way more than the actual chip in its original state; in some examples those original examples didn't even receive a bid when in our club auction... The same goes with some examples of $100 Las Vegas casino chips that are mounted; where only a few of each were made...