The dollar was worth considerably more 60 years ago. The dime chip was almost a dollar in todays inflated currency. The cost of having a 10c chip made in the 50's was probably only 3-4 cents in the quantities a card room had to order.

The value of a US dime coin from the 50's is today about $2 due to the debasement of the currency against the silver (that was in the dime in the 50's).

Finally, there were few chip collectors in the 50's so the card room's chips lasted until they wore out .