For me, and for shure for others too, the thrill of finding old obsolete chips/jetons/plaques from places long gone or even chips/jetons/plaques which are taken out of play many years ago, that thrill is undiscribeable.(as is this word)
That thrill only happens every so many years, one does not find that kind of material that many times in once lifetime.
Still like you write, I to collect new pieces, which in years to come will be old and difficult to get. I was at Taj Mahal in '91 if I remember correctly just after it opened. Pick up then new chips, but now out of play. So the then new one is now obsolete and I picked it up myself.
So for me precious as many of my pieces in my collection. Some are just normal pieces, but some have a special connection, could be a nice trade, pick up myself, a nice find at antique/garage sale/flea market/gift from friend-collector.
We all have pieces like that, I guess...
That is this hobby to me... , the nice people too of course and so many other things.
Most important is that you have FUN , life is to short...
Anyway have fun and kind regards,
Belgium Bob R-4479