Last week Sheldon Smith did a OneNevadaDollar auction for this set of 5 whale chips:

Sheldon did not know where they were from, but Gene Trimble posted a reply that they were shipped to an APO address for the Marshall Islands, specifically, the Kwajalein Atoll, which meant Kwajalein Island. Using the info Gene provided I did a basic Google search for Kwajalein and hit several 'Remember When' sites for Kwajalein.

Using the "Contact" feature of several sites, I sent emails and attached the above scan, asking for any specific or general knowledge about the use or origin of the chips. I have now been in contact with one of the contacts (from just one of the sites) who is in contact with "old-timers".

While additional contacts and requests for information remain outstanding, I have been advised that in the past, one of the teachers at "KHS" (Kwajalein High School) would annually conduct a fund raiser, Casino Night event, where blackjack, craps and roulette were all played! I do not have a date for this annual event, but it is promising.

As for the whale image on the chips, Kwajalein is on the whale migration route and depending upon time of year, whales can be spotted from shore. So it would appear that the whale symbology is not that of a high roller!

As more info becomes known, I will post here. But hey, I'm hoping that Lyle might have more for us.

Thanks for looking!

Jim