Hi Archie,
I'm pretty new here, but I have been a member of Chiptalk (CT) since it started and I may be able to explain why people are buying these chips.

Chiptalk's focus is on poker chips, both custom and retail. There are a lot of folks that like play poker with very nice chips and to most CT'ers, paulson chips are the "gold" standard.

I think most of the bidders on these chips know that these are fantasy chips but are bidding on these because they are trying to put a playable set together. The Le Cove chips are some of the nicest looking Fantasy paulson chips so people want to buy these.

Well that's what I think, anyhoot.
Greg

ps) if anyone reading this wants to unload a large quantity of chips made by Paulson, Bud Jones, or other mfg., whether Fantasy or from a closed casino, please send me an e-mail.