<<< I note in one popular reference book that does grade chips, that for each
increase in grade the corresponding price goes up 50% for each increment. That my friends is how it all begins. I've issued
this warning in the past, and nothing has changed since then. Don't buy into the "investment" pitch .... that the higher grades
are worth 150% more than a chip that has been in play. Enjoy your hobby the way it is and resist the slab scam.>>>>

Recently, I have changed my mind and agree with Mel and his position on the value of non-mint chips.

Most of my collection is made up of commemorative chips, obtained through new chip services and are in mint condition. However, if I had my druthers, I would much rather have a used chip which was used in actual play in good condition.

It seems to me, that although these new commemoratives can be used on the tables, most are not and just issued for the benefit of us collectors.
This is especially true of low limited issued chips--mostly in Nevada. I consider many of them to be souvenir pieces and as such, have little value over face.

Yes, I know about some of the Hard Rock limited edition sets, the Riviera Porn chips etc. and even though worth a lot more, they still are just souvenirs and possibly should be classified as such. These have no particular history attached to them such as the house chips of old and collected by high-end collectors.