I took some time to consider Charles K’s question (paraphrased) : Break up the “Plain” mold grouping of chips on MOGH/ChipGuide? Or keep as is? If break into smaller categories, how?

As I think about it, it makes my head hurt!! There are pros & cons.
The category is nearly 36,000 entries, which is about 23% of ALL the chip entries. Lots of TYPES of plain mold / no mold chips there too. However, as I work with the various H&C molds which have been subdivided, I would sometimes prefer an all-H&C category when I’m not sure which H&C I’m seeking. Finer categories have both +’s and –‘s.

Breaking out Chipcos makes sense, if they are mint-marked. Some are; most are not. They can be confused with B&G smooth molds (like many of the Palms chips).

Breaking out other manufacturers is possible, where mint-marks exist and are explained. Many don’t have mint-marks though, such as the older BJ plain molds. And there are additional chip makers with plain molds that aren’t represented here -- ex: Classic Poker Chips does plain molds too.

The current “Plain” mold category includes types as diverse as: Older style no-molds; plain-inlaid; plain-diecut; PMSC-brass core chips; a lot of roulettes (various makers); plus a lot of non-casino / advertising / and miscellaneous chips with plain/no molds.

In working through some examples, there are mint-marked chips from the following (at least):

Chipco: “CI” marking; “CHIPCO” marking; most unmarked though

B&G: “BG” marking on some; many unmarked

Bud Jones: “BJ” marking on some newer; most unmarked

Icon: “I” logo (inside box); ICON (spelled out)

Matsui: “M” marking

GameOn: stylized “GO” looks like a spade

Authentic Products: “AP”

Gemaco: “G” (short-lived)

PGI: “PGI” mark (?)

Langworthy / RTP / WICO: Specialized insert patterns on their plain molds.

Some of these marked / unmarked plain molds are illustrated below (all pics from ChipGuide).

My conclusion thus far … Yes, I’d like to see some groups broken out, but not sure how, without it getting overly complicated. Maybe a Chipco group; a B&G group; maybe a BJ group; a Brass Core / PMSC group. Leave the rest together. Maybe a tutorial somewhere on the ChipGuide on the various mint-marks? I’m not opposed to “keeping it simple” and leave as one big group. It’s a tough call.

Older Varieties

Chipcos

B&G

BJ

Brass Core / PMSC

Others with mint-marks

Langworthy / RT Plastics / WICO