The chips are both round, same diameter and thickness, same color, inserts, inlay design. The only difference is the mold. In that context, my chips show more "difference" than your chips, since the inlay design is also different on mine.

It's only a change in degree. The difference between house mold and hat&cane mold is more easily distinguishable than the difference between long cane and short cane. It is no more a difference.

As I study Webster, I question whether "variation" is the correct word to describe these differences. There are variations in the normal process of manufacture - the rotation of the inlay to the inserts for example. We do not call those different designs. Your two chips and my two chips are clearly different from each other in a way that is significant. That we call them "variations" does not change their nature.

Consider the two chips below. They were both used by the same casino for the same purpose. They changed the inserts, mold, and there's a slight variation of the inlay. Isn't one a variation of the other?

BTW, I'm looking for the $25 and $100 that match the chip on the left.