The Protégé Thread (1 Viewer)

[Joe Harris]

My Protege set has grown quite a bit, thanks to many of you. They are great chips, but of course suffer from Blue Chip Company's lackluster quality control. For a while I've been meaning to document some of these differences. I got a start on that project today.

So, behold. Every Protege variant I have encountered in person. I don't have every denomination, and I know there are some examples of other variants out there. This is a pretty good start anyway.

Spreadsheet
Photos

After I get these chips oiled, I will take better pictures that are all in-focus. For now, the quick shots will have to do.

 

[FDLmold]

That is some top notch QC right there.

 

[Irish]

So sad that such awesome chips could have so much inconsistently.

 

[Irish]

@Joe Harris do you want others to post pics of other variants or do you want to keep this just to your collection?

 

[Joe Harris]

@Joe Harris do you want others to post pics of other variants or do you want to keep this just to your collection?

I would love to see alternatives that aren't in my collection. Please post them!

I'd like to collate the data into something more accessible with a mini web-app, but I'm still working on that. If nothing else, that could serve as a reference point for future Protege ads.

 

[Pete]

Sheesh! I've always know of BCC quality control issues but mostly what I've seen was mishapen inlays. Here, we have everything from missing edge spots to discoloured inlays. Proteges will always be a great, desirable set but ya hate to see it plagued by these problems. Cigar & Sifter is an awesome mold.

 

[Irish]

OK, dug out my Protege samples, I have one additional variant from what you've posted so far, a few additional denoms and some additional NCVs:

10¢

50¢

$2

And the NCVs

I'm missing the orange $10 and the blue NCV

 

[fish72s]

Are you looking for a blue non-denom? I have a couple of spare if you need one.
You'll have to wait till next month though. I am away from my chips right now.

 

[Joe Harris]

OK, dug out my Protege samples, I have one additional variant from what you've posted so far, a few additional denoms and some additional NCVs:

Wish I could like this again. I would do dark things for a rack of those dimes. And that orange NCV is FIRE. I wonder how many of that particular variant exist..

 

[Irish]

Wish I could like this again. I would do dark things for a rack of those dimes. And that orange NCV is FIRE. I wonder how many of that particular variant exist..

I've unfortunately never seen the dimes in any quantity. A few folks have asked about the orange ncv, I don't think there are many around, I got this one in a sample set.

 

[Joe Harris]

Spreadsheet
Photos

Made a few updates to both the spreadsheet and photos. Most notably, the photo album has some new photos taken by me, as well as the variants shared by @Irish. The spreadsheet has been updated with my most recent acquisition, which contained several new variants.

 

[Joe Harris]

25¢ showing some strong double-mold issues.

$1k family shot, v1 v2 on top, v3, v4 on bottom, v5 (new variant) to right. I was a bit on the fence about making v5 a new variant. I would describe the inlay background of that chip as 'white' which is not really the case for others. The inlay denom color is also a brighter blue than the others, which might make it my new favorite. Additionally, the base color is yet another shade of yellow.

 

[MD Mike]

25¢ showing some strong double-mold issues.
View attachment 120571

$1k family shot, v1 v2 on top, v3, v4 on bottom, v5 (new variant) to right. I was a bit on the fence about making v5 a new variant. I would describe the inlay background of that chip as 'white' which is not really the case for others. The inlay denom color is also a brighter blue than the others, which might make it my new favorite. Additionally, the base color is yet another shade of yellow.
View attachment 120572

BCC = Beyond Cuality Control

 

[Joe Harris]

BCC = Beyond Cuality Control

Indeed. Admittedly, I didn't understand what I was getting into when I scored my first Proteges. It's extremely unfortunate that they sound so amazing. I could (probably) have avoided collecting them entirely..

 

[MD Mike]

Indeed. Admittedly, I didn't understand what I was getting into when I scored my first Proteges. It's extremely unfortunate that they sound so amazing. I could (probably) have avoided collecting them entirely..

Nah, I think watching you update that Wanted ad for two years straight was the highlight of each week for me.

It was worth it! Plus you sold me like 1200 InPlay chips WHICH I STILL OIL one at a time to this day.

I'm trying to pick up the pace because I only get about six months before they dry out again and I get to go all zen re-oiling them.

It's pretty relaxing

 

[MD Mike]

These blue 50 cent chips were like chalky blue until I let oil sit on the face and edge for 48 hours

Edit: that's what she said?

 

[ceramicmike]

Nah, I think watching you update that Wanted ad for two years straight was the highlight of each week for me.

It was worth it! Plus you sold me like 1200 InPlay chips WHICH I STILL OIL one at a time to this day.

I'm trying to pick up the pace because I only get about six months before they dry out again and I get to go all zen re-oiling them.

It's pretty relaxing

Dam !!! You have me by 400 chips. Must look harder.(y) :thumbsup:

 

[MD Mike]

Dam !!! You have me by 400 chips. Must look harder.(y) :thumbsup:

I suppose it's time for me to put them all on the table and have a photo shoot. I'm not even really sure how many I actually have

 

[Joe Harris]

$10 Plaques. These have only been put into play a handful of times, but players seem to love them. Anybody know if they were sold by Sidepot? Never heard mention of any others.

 

[QuiQuog]

I was way into the proteges until I got my first sample of them. The inlays were so horribly pixelated it soured me from even looking at them for a long time. I'm glad I didn't fall down that rabbit hole. It's a shame, because they had such great potential.

 

[MD Mike]

I was way into the proteges until I got my first sample of them. The inlays were so horribly pixelated it soured me from even looking at them for a long time. I'm glad I didn't fall down that rabbit hole. It's a shame, because they had such great potential.

That's the BCC quality control at it again. Some were perfect, some were shitty.

Example:

Good

Blurry

And that's just in the small random stack of 10 I had at my desk.

 

[Irish]

Here are 2 more, the blue NCV and the orange $10. They got stuck under a flap in the envelope I had my sample set in when I took the set out for pics several weeks ago.

 

[Joe Harris]

The workhorse of every respectable cash game. The humble $5

 

[Joe Harris]

Mid-inventory family photo. Not all the variants are obvious without close ups of the labels, but several are visible.

 

[andy699669]

The workhorse of every respectable cash game. The humble $5

View attachment 158895

I wonder why the fivers are the powers?

 

[CLKin]

MFFr My favorite chips of all time. I use my Protege orange NCV as a card protector. Love em all. I have a sample set is all.

 

[Joe Harris]

Updated photo of my main cash set. With the recent addition of a rack of $5s, it's now playable for micro, small and medium stakes games.

Updated photo of my secondary cash set. For when more $5s are required.

 

[Irish]

Updated photo of my main cash set. With the recent addition of a rack of $5s, it's now playable for micro, small and medium stakes games.
View attachment 345471

Updated photo of my secondary cash set. For when more $5s are required.
View attachment 345470

Whoa where did the sick rack of lime dimes come from? Nice.

 

[Joe Harris]

Whoa where did the sick rack of lime dimes come from? Nice.

Canada. What a nice place.

 

[hdgeno]

Why do you have the same avatar as @navels?