The chip hobby is unlike most hobbies, especially SUPER popular collectibles like coins and sports cards. I collect all 3 but have been collecting coins and sports cards for far longer than chips. The reason why coins and sports cards are flourishing with collectors and why casino chips are not is simple. The free exchange of information including photos and scans! Every day I am on the following websites which offer their information for free with not even an account:

PCGS, NGC, PSA, CAC, EBAY

In addition Heritage & Stacks and Bowers require a sign up, but their databases are fully accessible for no cost.

Dan’s concept, a free and accessible database for anyone to access can only increase interest in the hobby. A hobby so specialized like casino chips will wither without open access to information including no need to join the club until you find it a benefit. And that means ALL information, not just parts you don’t care about.

Although Alex makes the argument that photos of his chips should have his permission to be used in a database, I am of the opinion that photos of my chips can be used by any database without permission. I would love it to learn someone saw a really rare chip and decided they would like to collect. I would not have posted my photos to the chip guide if I believed differently.

Everyone that has a problem with that should do what Alex did, sell your collection and move on. Anyone with no knowledge of casino chips is not going to join the club to get it. When club members die or quit, there will be no one to replace them. There is no disputing that fact. Just look at what club membership has done for the last 15 years.

Again, my unhumble opinion and no argument with me is going to change it. If your opinion is different and you refuse to think or be open to facts then keep it to yourself. I don’t care.