Mike if I had 1st hand information I would post it. Go back to the Jobys Monte Carlo threads. I knew nothing about the chips except what the Chip Sheriff posted. I was able to find a collector that had actually seen them and was offered the chips. I posted the numbers.
If I had 1st hand information on the Flamingos I would post it. At this time I am hearing different stories and different numbers from everywhere. Enough people think they know something, when I put the stories together the Flamingos could wind up being another Shoe Mustard Arrodie. At this point I would not pay $100 for either one of the $5 & $25 Flamingos.

Are they repaired chips? I don't know. I do know Dave Whalen did not repair them. I asked him and to date he has never lied to me.

I think Johns story is close to being correct on where they came from, but the numbers could be much larger up to and including the rack. Who knows what some old timer walked out of the Flamingo with 50 years ago.
I said it in many articles "chips will continue to show up, the more outsiders hear about our hobby." These things are not something the average person will throw away. Grandpa got them, and threw them in a closet or attic. He dies. The grandson finds them 50 years later and turns on his computer. In 15 minutes he is amazed but learns how to get maximum $$$$ from them. He learns the same old "found in Grandpas estate and only 3 exist" (until the 4th buyer comes along )