Collecting is an organized hobby with an Annual Convention in Las Vegas, baby!

In Nevada, a casino can refuse to honor cashing a chip(s) if it cannot be verified that it was won by the person wanting to cash it in. (A current eBay auction supports this. http://cgi.ebay.com/5000-CHIP-THE-BELLAGIO-HOTEL-CASINO-LAS-VEGAS-NV_W0QQitemZ250079353528QQihZ015QQcategoryZ88433QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

All time record amount paid for a chip (publicly) was $47,000 (this number needs verification, as I am sitting here I can't recall the exact amount).

Researching the origins of manufactured chips is made more difficult because of the secrecy of their early day buyers (mobsters) for illegal operations that wanted/demanded no traceability.

Have a good time and remember to breathe!

Jim