James Campiglia, David Sarles, Barry Weintraub and myself located the first Sands $5 arodie about a month ago from a lady who played at the Sands in late 1952. She won a lot of money and took the chip home as a souvenir of her win. She is certain about the date, and that is why the chip will be listed as the 1st edition in our upcoming book. (Since our final draft has already been submitted, we cannot make the changes necessary to change the note about the chip, so it will be listed as Unique for the next issue only.)Fortunately, our chip is in beautiful MS 95 condition. It will be auctioned privately for over $10,000 in April when we all get together. Rene's chip is in horrible condition and worth maybe $4000 at best, although I do not discount the possibility/probability of some sucker being gouged for a ridiculous price. We stand by our statement that the chip was on the table a very short time. The previous owner of Rene's chip undoubtedly used it a good luck piece he carried around for many years. I have seen several chips like this and that is the only possible way that the chip could get that much wear. TR King's records verify that the Scrown Sands chips were made in 1956, and we are certain that the Sm-key issue preceeds the Scrowns based on design elements and other factors. Therefore, the Arodie could not have been used very long.