Mark,

The whole point on reproducing a hot stamp is that absolutely no skill is required to duplicate the chip.

Put together an "Apache Casino" die, blank lg crowns and a hot stamping machine and any joe blow can reproduce them.

Maybe someone more knowledgeable than myself could expound on this. I was told an exact "APACHE CASINO" die could be made for $100 or so. I would say blank Large crowns about 50 cents each. I didn't pay attention to the poker chip hot stamping machine auction on ebay but I don't think it even had one bid at $200 or so (and it came with different colored foils to boot)

Think about it. A perfect fake "Apache" could easily be made by the dimmest of dimwits (I heard that!!!!).

Yes sir, $18k for a hot stamped lg crown is money in the bank