Your answer is difficult, as I understand, as it would very from LE to LE.

As for whether some people collect every one I don't know but would feel safe to assume that there are some who do. That can be a problem though with some places like Trop, Hard Rock and 4Queens who will produce a new chip for any event or celebrity or purpose. I have a few Trop chips but gave up on them quickly when I started to realize that there was no way that I could afford to keep up. 4Queens is the same way. Does that mean that I don't collect them anymore? No. Occasionally they come out with new chips that I like. I am just selective over which ones I buy using criteria regarding my personal interest and attraction to the chips. Some are significant and attractive, some unusual etc. Others are just too ordinary or have no real significance, to me, and I pass.

The Hard Rock is an example of one of the more popular. Most of their chips relate to artists of rock music and are a significant part of Pop Culture. They have produced many chips that create a frenzy when they come out. While they produce a lot of chips, most of them are very unique and interesting for many reasons. Some of these chips are instantly valuable. There are people who try to get every one of them. I have not collected many as I have a difficulty in getting in on the ground floor and rarely can afford them when they have hit the tertiary market. I say tertiary (3rd) because a couple of times I have been able to get some from a dealer who got them at the cage. However a lot of times these people will sell to others who will then put them on eBay and I then find it difficult to afford them. I am not a huge Rock Music fan though so I don't have a lot of difficulty in passing on most of them. There have been a few though that I was disappointed over.

Most LEs will increase in value rather quickly. Especially if they are good art, or significant subject matter or from popular casinos. Some of the more run of the mill ones will probably increase by a few bucks initially and then will level off for a while. I have noticed many $5 chips on eBay that will soar to $15 in the weeks following their release. Then as the frenzy wears off they will settle to under $10 and stay their for months or years. Looking at the price guide that I have, don't know the title but believe it is Campiglia and Wells(?), I have noticed that virtually all $5 LEs in there are a minimum of $10.

Of course, when it comes to reselling them, it all depends on how desperate you are to sell. It all depends on someone being there who wants to buy. You might be able to sell for a few dollars over face or 2x face fairly easily but you might have to wait for that person a little or go out to find him/her. If you are desperate you might find yourself having to sell for a slight loss. Gain/loss also depends a lot on whether you got at face or did you buy from a dealer at a higher price. I figure that by buying from some of the dealers that I go through if I can get my $5s for about $7.50 or $8 then I am pretty safe that I can get maybe $10 for mine if I were desperately in need to sell. If I go through eBay and pay about $12 to $15 plus a couple of bucks for shipping, I might not be able to get that back. At least not for a few years at least.

That is why I look at my collection as just that. A collection. While I do hope it retains or gains more value, I do not consider it an investment. I have my collection for the memories and enjoyment that I get from looking at them. That is what is important.