Archie, you have touched on a vital point. If John came across a bag of money which had fallen out of an armored car on its way to be destroyed (on a Florida Highway), he would have done what any of us would have done. He would have contacted law enforcement (VON BUDDY) and turned it in. Because John would have been committing a felony ifhehad done anything else. But there are special provisions regarding currency (as well as US GOVT PROPERTY).

Here we have found property, there are many questions to be answered, destroying, or marking them could (in theory) adversely effect another's property (for the record finder's keepers is not thelaw of land). I also think it is unrealistic to expect all of the finders to damage the property to keep anothers value up (as you said). I also doubt that the hobby will value those chips not drilled without contemplating the thousands of chips found.

I am entertained by no end at the prospect that it was law enforcement who snagged the chips. In most jurisdictions, law enforcement is required to turn in found property (hopefully find owners,or community sells property to finance law enforcement), If it had been a chest of jewels would they have been in such a race to get to ebay?