You didn't mention Milanos. Also a nice chip with a nice label that is easy to read. Is there really a composition difference in the materials of the Milanos, Pharoahs and Majestics? All China Clays, probably same factory, probably same batch of plastic. I can't tell a difference, so it comes down to appearance. I personally don't like the mold of the Milanos - they look like a tire, especially the blacks. I like the different edge spots on the Pharoahs, but big label = less chip visible. And the Majestics are nice but why the black label? And I also got samples of the PGI Great Wall, Great Pyramid and Trapezoid. The Trapezoids are Milano blanks with custom labels. Straight Poker in Toronto sells a Milano version with the Crazy Horse label. The Great Wall and Great Pyramid are a little more squared off than the Pharoah/Milano/Majestic. More like a Paulson in that regard. But I think they are only available custom, so that doubles your price point.
And at that price point, around 70 to 80 cents, you open up the whole world of custom ceramics. A little more and you can start getting into custom clays from CPC. While you can spend a couple bucks or more, very simple designs are just over a buck.
I am a few weeks ahead of you in the process, having bought many many samples but still racking my brain, and watching my discipline slip as I set my sights higher Why not Paulsons?).
Today I bought 150 Paulson $25 President Casino New Yorker chips. Got a great deal (less than a buck) from Apache, so felt like I couldn't pass them up.
I don't know whether I will be able to get other denoms to fill out a set. But what if I get other denoms with other labels? Why the heck not?
My current plan is to get 500 custom chips from Lynbark designs. Great quality and easy to work with. By playing the Paulson greens with higher denom ceramics, we get to handle both types of chips and perhaps a consensus will build. I can always get more ceramics if the mixed-set thing seems weird. And I'm just dipping my toe into the chip world - so perhaps this is some kind of sacrilege?
If you can stick within your price range, good for you. All three China clays from Apache are nice. But if you are like me . . . my mind starts justifying looking into some higher tiers and spending a little more, because, after all - these should last a lifetime.
Gary