The fundamental problem is deciding where to draw the line. Consider the following two chips from the Eldorado in Reno.

They are on the same mold with the same inserts. Most likely the old chips were not pulled when the new ones were put out. But the graphic is significantly different. Even the name of the casino is different. Are these two different chips, or two variations where owning either chip will do and owning both is just a sign of obsessive compulsive behavior?

Now consider the next two chips.

The name is the same, the mold and colors are the same. The size of the fonts and images are different. Different chips or insignificant variations?

Here are two chips from Circus Circus.

Both are in uncirculated condition, exactly as they came from the manufacturer. The first chip was made in 1995 when Chipco was having a serious problem with a change in the ceramic formulation reacting with the ink. The second chip is a replacement made in 1997 because Circus Circus was not happy with the way the chips were wearing (they faded very quickly). The first chip has a rough textured surface, the second chip is smooth. The images are exactly the same, but these chips represent two very different manufacturing processes.

Here are two more chips from Circus Circus.

All they wanted to do was reorder the same chip, but new regulations dictated that the state must appear on the chip. Are these legitimate variations?

Now look at these chips from Fitzgeralds.

Everything is the same except one has a straight line through the cent sign, one is slanted. Legitimate variations? Or have we finally crossed the line into obsessive compulsive?

Here are three more chips from Fitzgeralds.

Again, all were just reorders of the same chip. The first and second differ only in the mold, the second and third differ only in the placement of the $5. How many different chips do you see?

One more example.

These were all made at the same time. The canes are long/long, short/short, and long/short. Image that! Different molds on each side of the same chip!!! Are you satisfied with a reasonably representative example, or do you want to collect them all? This, my friend, is what separates the accumulators from the collectors .