My first chip was from the Hilton Atlantic City, a $2.50 chip from the casino when it opened as the Trump Castle back in 1985. A former roommate sent it to me after she moved back to New Jersey as a souvenir. I didn't find out until about 12 years later that the chip had any real historical significance, being the casino never opened as the Hilton.

I got another chip right around the same time from a partner in a bar that we owned. We sold the bar and he set out to pursue a lifelong dream of prospecting for gold in the northern territories. He sent me a $1 chip from Diamond Tooth Gertie's in the Yukon.

I carried both chips around with me everyday as good luck charms, and remembrances of good friends. They both got pretty worn out (the chips, not the friends) from being in my pocket for more than ten years!

Bob