... to the bidder. Unfortunately, this is sometimes a real guessing game -- he may be the last guy willing to pay big bucks for this chip and the next one might sell for $1000 or less again. What does that make it worth? Only what the next buyer is willing to pay for it.

Truly rare material is always going to be subject to these kinds of price fluctuations, as emotion will play a greater role than would be the case for common material. Furthermore, as known samples get into the hands of collectors unlikely to sell them, the selling price (if not the "value") of the samples which remain available for sale will inevitably increase.

Just my opinion, but I don't think catalog values of casino chips have much meaning when they get above $1000. ----- jim o\-S