So here's the side by side I promised. Old chip (batch ???) on the left, new batch 5 chip on the right.
As I mentioned before, the printing on the newer chips appears sharper, and the background is less grainy/mottled. Also, the printing didn't get down into the "inlay" ring on the old chips like it does on the new ones. All changes for the better IMO.
Also, did anyone else notice that the batch 5 chips are on a new mold? The cards on the batch 5 chips are slightly skinnier and have rounded corners.