I was getting ready to ask Fred, but then your reply seemed to be in the direction of my question. So, here goes (and please, brevity is not an attribute!)

I am not very familiar with some of the terms offered here (proof, proto-type, mock-up, etc.) but, I had wanted to ask Fred why the red $5 chip appeared used and most certainly dirty. However, you called the chips "mock-ups". This implies to me that a regular issue chip was used to have a paste-on inlay attached as an example of a possible chip to-be.

I then re-looked at Fred's scan and could see the mold on the chip, but not on the inlays.

So, my question is...What Fred is showing, are they paste on, plain paper printed inlays applied to used chips?

If so, is this done often?

If so, then I can see why you suggest that they could have been done anywhere, by anyone. Just create some artwork, print out lables, paste them on and notch the chips with a file. Presto chango, you have your own mock-ups!

Please feel free to educate us and thanks in advance for the information.

Jim