1) I too don't know why most people don't consider this a variety. You pointed it out to me and I have been collecting them ever since. I list both versions in my CyberGuide. It is just as different to me as the difference between small and large crown.

2)Same here.

3)Minor color variation yes. But what I use as a guide to determining a variety is whether there are many small variations. For example if you can find many different colors I just consider it a printing or fading problem and not a variety. But, if all the chips in question fall into just a couple of categorys, like light or dark, red or pink, gray or black, etc. then I consider it to be two varieties.

4) I'd like to see these in person sometime. Maybe you could bring them to the convention in Vegas next year?