Steve Wynn totally themed the property with the 1977 opening of the first hotel tower. To go with the theme he named the property Golden Nugget Gambling Hall and Rooming House. My guess is the chips were released around the 1977 time frame. I was just a teenager (yes I started this hobby as a teen) and I wrote the Golden Nugget for a press release kit for their new hotel and got one with a personal letter from the then pretty unknown Steve Wynn. I wish I still had it.