...and no scanner. (Yeah, I know....a picture's worth 1000 words!)

TCR and the C&W book both list just one 25¢ chip for Nob Hill....but I've got 2 of 'em...I'll try to describe the differences..

••Chip 1 has a narrower outer rim than chip 2.

••Chip 1's cane is closer to the hat brim. (#1's cane appears a little shorter...I think).

••Chip 1 has more space below the hat brim.

••Chip 2: The center of the chip does seem to be a little lower than the ring that the h&c's are in, but the center is higher than the channel that separates the h&c ring from the center of the chip.

Chip 1: The entire center of the chip is recessed. No channel between the 2 heights.

••Chip 1 has very light cross-hatching (including in the recessed center). I don't think it's from wear...the hot stamp is very strong, and the chip will still stand on edge. (Does have some small edge nicks & dings)

Chip 2 has fairly strong cross-hatching (especially in the center), but it was used enough for the hot stamp to fade to silver. (Can still see a hint of gold on some letters).

••Chip 1 has thicker lettering than chip 2. Also, a slight difference in font styles (most noticable in the "5")

••When chip 1 was hot stamped, it ?melted? the composition so the outline of the letters is raised. (another tough-to-describe one!)