The white chips with pink inserts are Paulson’s lead (Pb) formulation, with textured inlays. What is likely is that one set collector was consistently buying them to build a playable poker set with them. It takes two to make auction prices that high, especially considering its history as a consistent under $5 chip. At least one more deep pocket, and maybe two or three, have appeared and are trying to mimic the first guy, and now all of them are engaged in a metaphorical phallus measuring contest to see who can acquire the most. Other chips have experienced something similar, like Pick Hobson 50 cent yellow scrowns. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.