I guess it really depends on the amount of variation that appears on the chip. Many times I have seen chips that appear lighter or darker and most folks conclude that they have faded a bit. That's not a variation.

A reorder that produces a slightly larger or smaller "this or that" doesn't seem to me to be a new chip either.

The telling issue for me is when most if not all of the people on this board say, "NOW THAT'S A NEW CHIP"

One last little comment: I noticed that a SANDS $1 chip (POKER ROOM) is listed in TCR # 10 as two different chips, one WELL USED and the other AVERAGE. I know there are instances where a cancelled chip vs. non cancelled produces two TCR #'s but it appears that the TCR # 10 will also be giving out different numbers for the same chip based solely on the condition except for cancellations (which I understand?), etc., or has this always been the case and I just noticed it DUH! DUH! DUH! ????