American bakelite chips pack (1 Viewer)

[caperalta]

I found a set of American-made bakelite poker chips at a second-hand market. I have no idea what their value might be—does anyone know their approximate worth? I've asked the seller about the year they were made, and I'm waiting for a response.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

It is on sale for €50 (55 USD)

 

[Colquhoun]

They’re probably not worth very much. From the first half of the 20th century, these were like the dice chips of today…meaning fairly common.
That box is not the original to these chips, as paranoid inlaids are a bit different, usually with a single symbol (the box is for the star and crescent shaped variety.)
They’re still very nice, but not highly collectible, I’m afraid.

 

[Mushmanchuman]

Anytime you find these chips and they are priced more than $10, the seller is price gouging. He’s just hoping to rope someone in and get 10X what he paid for them. If he paid anything at all.

You can find these on marketplace left and right for $5-$20. I would hold out for a set with a nice spinning carousel.

 

[caperalta]

They’re probably not worth very much. From the first half of the 20th century, these were like the dice chips of today…meaning fairly common.
That box is not the original to these chips, as paranoid inlaids are a bit different, usually with a single symbol (the box is for the star and crescent shaped variety.)
They’re still very nice, but not highly collectible, I’m afraid.

Anytime you find these chips and they are priced more than $10, the seller is price gouging. He’s just hoping to rope someone in and get 10X what he paid for them. If he paid anything at all.

You can find these on marketplace left and right for $5-$20. I would hold out for a set with a nice spinning carousel.

It is a pleasure for me to read to your knowledge, I would love to have it, I discovered this world a few months ago and I am becoming more and more passionate about it.

 

[caperalta]

They’re probably not worth very much. From the first half of the 20th century, these were like the dice chips of today…meaning fairly common.
That box is not the original to these chips, as paranoid inlaids are a bit different, usually with a single symbol (the box is for the star and crescent shaped variety.)
They’re still very nice, but not highly collectible, I’m afraid.

The quality chips of that time were made of ivory? Or am I mistaken?

 

[Mushmanchuman]

Ivory was pre-paranoid. Late 1800’s. These ain’t ivory.

 

[MeridianFC]

There are some really nice Bakelite sets out there, unfortunately, this one is not one. As others have said this is not worth a lot of money.

 

[Mushmanchuman]

I consider all these types of chips convo pieces. Or project chips. Build a table and then epoxy over these chips.

I bought all these chips for very little money and my only plans are to have them on display. They are just there to look cool and reference the time period of when the chips were made.

Sometimes the case or carrier they come in are as valuable as the chips are.

I believe the “good Bakelite” chips referenced earlier are the chips on the far right in the first pic. Those cost me $11.

The chips on the far left (denominated) are great for board games. Not sure the exact date on those chips. Maybe 50’s?

 

[caperalta]

I consider all these types of chips convo pieces. Or project chips. Build a table and then epoxy over these chips.

I bought all these chips for very little money and my only plans are to have them on display. They are just there to look cool and reference the time period of when the chips were made.

Sometimes the case or carrier they come in are as valuable as the chips are.

I believe the “good Bakelite” chips referenced earlier are the chips on the far right in the first pic. Those cost me $11.

The chips on the far left (denominated) are great for board games. Not sure the exact date on those chips. Maybe 50’s?
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Wow, amazing. Thank you very much for sharing! There are really nice chips, amazing inlay designs. I was today years old when discovered this kind of chips. Will be scrolling regulary to find a nice set for a good price. Thank you!

 

[Mushmanchuman]

These old chips could be fun if playable.

 

[Mushmanchuman]

Wow, amazing. Thank you very much for sharing! There are really nice chips, amazing inlay designs. I was today years old when discovered this kind of chips. Will be scrolling regulary to find a nice set for a good price. Thank you!

One thing you can do is search outside your area for poker chips. If you sweet talk the seller and get them to ship that’s a huge win. Maybe leave the case behind and have them just ship the chips.

There are quite a few sets out there but they are not worth having to overpay too much.

$20 for the chips, $20 overpay +shipping…now I’m like “Yeah..I don’t need these chips.”

Then you find them at a yard sale/ flea market the next weekend for $6 with vintage KEM cards in the carousel. Bowed, but still vintage KEM.

 

[DrStrange]

While the box is a Paranoid box, the chips shown aren't Paranoids. (that I know of - there were many millions of Paranoid chips made.)

I'd guess the chips shown are worth ten cents to twenty-five cents each (USD). Though one buyer trying to build a specific set could move the market. You could prowl eBay and build a set if so inclined.

If OP is hoping he has a gold mine - sad to say it isn't so. The price of $55 USD isn't crazy, but it is on the high side for sure. There is no hope of reselling those for more than paid even before we consider shipping and other fees. There aren't many poker chips that are fantastically valuable.

Ivory chips would be the exception. Any such set would be worthwhile assuming it is really ivory. (Yes, there are plenty of fakes.) Be mindful that trading in Ivory is difficult and requires proof of provenance to be safely bought and sold. The owner needs to have proof the ivory is old enough not to be covered by anti-trafficking regulations. If the seller is savvy enough to know about and provide proof of provenance, the chips aren't going to be cheap.

For what it is worth - bakelite is a terrible choice for a material to make poker chips from. Not that it wasn't done - maybe someone did. But the chips would be ultra-light and a bit fragile.

DrStrange