Here's a tribute chips idea (but spoiler alert: it doesn't pencil out!)
CPC is now allowing the use of the EWING mold for private parties. It used to be Casinos Only use.
So ... just a "what if" ... you explored the closed casinos in Nevada that used the EWING mold for purposes of creating "tribute" chips on the correct mold? (Sorry, the Golden Goose was a H&C mold. )
A ChipGuide query shows there were 54 such chips, but most were hot-stamped (not practical for Tributes) and only about a dozen were inlays. Of those, only 3-4 seem possible candidates -- listed/shown below (ChipGuide pic).
The Jackpot $5 is out -- it's only a "C" value GENUINE chip @$5.
The Desert Inn $2.50 is out too -- nice, but only a "J" value GENUINE chip @ $50.
The Big Wheel $5 is a Z-1 chip -- worth $800 book value when GENUINE.
The Sinabar $5 is a W chip -- worth $500 book value when GENUINE.
So, let's say you order** 300 chips (minimum order #) from CPC, with 1/2 Big Wheel and 1/2 Sinabar. Artwork to CLEARLY include "Tribute" or "Fantasy" plus open & close dates. Made on correct color base, add correct inserts, add inlay, add artwork costs. All-in cost is around $3.25 to $3.50, rough estimate, per chip, so x300 chips is $975 to $1050... call it $1000 in round numbers.
(** Assumes CPC would accept such an order. They might not. I haven't spoken to them at all.)
Over time, and with some effort, sell 100 of each, and you have a reserve of 50 of each to keep for later ... sell at $5 each, or 200 x $5 = $1000, and voila ... you've broken even for all your effort. Plus, selling that many tribute chips for Big Wheel and Sinabar (2nd or 3rd tier popularity) is a stretch at best. Improbable, actually, IMO.
Bottom line, an exercise in "what if", but it doesn't pencil out.
Agree or disagree?
|