Hi Tim,
Janice and Jerry O'Neal taught me much about how bleach, light and various chemicals will change the color of a chip and/or its inserts. I recall Jerry experimenting with common chips and showing me the results when I stopped over for a visit. He could change the color of inserts OR leave the inserts alone and change the color of the clay. I really miss those days. The hobby was fun and people shared information freely especially the O'Neals. If it was not for them I probably would have lost interest in the hobby quickly. Today, too many individuals worry about "their" status in the collecting community instead of educating the new collector. We debate, fight and yes, sometimes say and write hurtful words. When someone shares information instead of trying to add to it - we try to find "holes" in what they have written thinking we will look important to the rest of the collectors if we can show how "they" were wrong in the research. Consequently, those who never had an original thought are the ones who discourage those who were full of enthusiasm.
Many readers of this board have no idea the amount of research done on inlays, hot stamps, clay composition, etc. by people like Allan Myers, Kenny Craig, Doug Saito, the O'Neals, etc. Intead we worry about how the word "rare" is used on Ebay. Anyway Tim, you are one of the few "true" historians left. Your love of Nevada history manifests itself in your question game played at the convention.
I will come by your table, look at your chip and play the question game for my discount. I hope I can do better than the last time <g>. Best, Jim

I enjoyed those visits and learned much in the first few years of collecting. Too bad that element, OJT of chip collecting, is disappearing fast from our hobby. The 25 cent mint chip you have is a prime example of what can be done with sun light and or bleach to change the basic color of a chip. You saw the chip Joe Shaw posted. Joe pointed out the most important element in his discussion - the hot stamp was not affected by the light. Depending upon the quality of the gold foil used in the hot stamp will yield the results Joe displayed.