Thoughts on why they would toss these chips on the floor and not take them with the rest of the cash/chips and dispose of them at a later time (or use them on another ship)?

I does look like there are 6 - 7 colors on the clover leaf chips. There are a few other odds and ends that might be training chips.

So the theory of the salvage crew tossing the "Junk" out of the safe might be the answer.