It's becoming harder to argue because it seems you are expressing my views. Removing the cancellation 'changes' the chip. It makes it more desirable, you implied that yourself. I understand wanting to have a uncancelled high value chip specimen in your collection and most hobbiest would agree. You are free to do anyhting you wish to your own chips, but the concern is will it eventually be re-introduced to the market. In my currency collection I have a few (very few) photo copies of rare notes that I will never own just to show the 'complete' series. Those would be spotted as fake (or counterfeit) instantly if re-introduced but what if not? The law as well as the collecting society would take a very dim view of that.

I think there are two questions one should ask:
1, Is this like I found it?
2. Have I (or someone) done anything to CHANGE it's value in the market.

If the answer is YES to either of those then you must consider that an alteration has been made. IMO

... The next stage in my debate will be forced to resort to name calling, belittlement, slander and sticks & stones!