David,
I found another photo shot at the same session. This one in color, shows a little more detail. The design, as you said, does not look like dots. Could very well be stars. It would be interesting to see one. The color of the stars/dots?? in the design is not good enough to be sure. It does not appear as though the yellow color of the chip is showing through. Perhaps, not a diecut inlaid wheel chip.