Don and Everyone,
I have received a few e-mails asking me why this $1.00 hot stamped - mustard - small key - 3 blue - listed in TCR #5 as N7014 with an O+ value DOES NOT belong to the Union Plaza or Plaza located in downtown Las Vegas Nevada.

The answer can be found in the mold of the chip. As most who collcet chips know the mold is the manufacture's mark. The distinguishing characteristic that seperates one manufacture of chips from another.

The mold under discussion is the small key. This mold was developed by B.C.Wills Co. B.C.Wills Co also developed the large key mold but that is a different story.

B.C.Wills Co. was originally based in Michigan with its main office located right outside the city of Detroit. It manufactured all types of gaming equipment including chips, dice, etc.

The small key mold was developed by this company in the very late 1930's or early 1940's. No one can really say for sure. The popularity of this mold can be found in many of the "illegal" clubs located in the upper Midwest as well as the Kentucky/Ohio Valley area.

From everything that is available involving the small key mold, B.C.Wills Co stopped manufacturing this mold in the early 1960's; right after it perfected and started using the large key mold.

The Union Plaza as it was first called had its grand opening August 10, 1971.
Frank Scott was chairman of the board and the Vice Presidents were James J, West, William (Sam) Boyd, Don Dobson, Jackie Gaughan, J.K. Houssels, Jr. and Michael Shapiro; hence the name UNION (bringing together many interests) Plaza.

Since the opening was late 1971 B.C.Wills Co already had given up manufacturing chips with the small key mold. In addition, because the gentleman were so concerned with the UNION concept that no first chip would have ever carried the name PLAZA by itself.

I hope this information is useful and helps support why the chip does not belong to the Union Plaza in downtown Las Vegas. As usual, I close with my standard statement - Let those who claim this chip belongs to Las Vegas establish proof before selling it as such. Best, Jim