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What is the Allure of Leaded Chips?? (3 Viewers)

BGinGA said:
Agreed, but highly-valued and higher-priced do not equate to "far superior". Casino history and scarcity may influence their desireability, but not their superiority.
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100%, and also at the heart of my initial question. What makes leaded chips superior? So far I’ve Im hearing “their inlays” and the way they wear down when shuffled.

I can buy the shuffling thing, but the shaped inlay is more of association
 
upNdown said:
Nobody can feel the difference between colors. But yeah, if you give me a stack of ten 10 grams chips and another stack of otherwise identical ten 9 grams chips, yes, experienced chippers can tell the difference.
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I'd bet a barrel of Tigers I could feel the difference between a barrel of Aztar $1s and Aztar $25s...or another green leaded chip
 
ssanel54 said:
100%, and also at the heart of my initial question. What makes leaded chips superior? So far I’ve Im hearing “their inlays” and the way they wear down when shuffled.

I can buy the shuffling thing, but the shaped inlay is more of association
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As others have said, the clay is softer, so they wear better and get fewer flea bites. And the sound is different (those yes other factors affect that too.)
Also in my experiences, leaded Paulsons transfer color to each other less than unleaded Paulsons. I’m not dying on that hill, but I’ve done some experiments and I believe it to be true.
 
ssanel54 said:
Why do people feel that Leaded chips are the Best Chips?
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We have a metric that takes the emotional appeal out of the equation that supersedes a given opinion.

Cost

and if you don't like them, I can assure you, they'll never make leaded chips again.
 
ssanel54 said:
100%, and also at the heart of my initial question. What makes leaded chips superior? So far I’ve Im hearing “their inlays” and the way they wear down when shuffled.

I can buy the shuffling thing, but the shaped inlay is more of association
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No, most older leaded Paulsons have textured inlays (unlike newer unleaded chips with glossy inlays) which definitely affects the feel when handled (and not just the visual aesthetics). Many of those older textured inlays are shaped, but certainly not all.

On the other hand, very few unleaded chips have shaped inlays, and textured inlays on unleaded chips is almost unheard-of. Much of the reason for this is due to modern security features (microdot, UV marking), which perform better and are easier/cheaper to implement using smooth-finish inlays.

Leaded chips are superior to unleaded chips in terms of handling (softer feel, more quiet /deeper sound, heftiness due to heavier weight) and wear characteristics (gentle rounding / smoothing of edges, lack of flea bites), while textured inlays on leaded chips are the cherry on top.
 
kmccormick100 said:
I'd bet a barrel of Tigers I could feel the difference between a barrel of Aztar $1s and Aztar $25s...or another green leaded chip
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Same question as @upNdown Are you saying you can identify the slight variance in weight or the presence of lead? If you were blindfolded and I placed 6 mint barrels of Inlaid THC chips in front of you, each of them different colors and weights, but only three of them containing lead, that you could accurately separate the leaded from non leaded stacks?
 
ssanel54 said:
Same question as @upNdown Are you saying you can identify the slight variance in weight or the presence of lead? If you were blindfolded and I placed 6 mint barrels of Inlaid THC chips in front of you, each of them different colors and weights, but only three of them containing lead, that you could accurately separate the leaded from non leaded stacks?
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I mean I can easily tell the difference between a stack of leaded chips that weighs 9.5g vs 8g. As far as feel, leaded white is the most different “feeling” color in my experience. Could I tell a difference between leaded 8.5g Aztar $25s and 8.5g RPC $25s? Probably not. But I’m going to go test it out now haha.
 
BGinGA said:
No, most older leaded Paulsons have textured inlays (unlike newer unleaded chips with glossy inlays) which definitely affects the feel when handled (and not just the visual aesthetics). Many of those older textured inlays are shaped, but certainly not all.

On the other hand, very few unleaded chips have shaped inlays, and textured inlays on unleaded chips is almost unheard-of. Much of the reason for this is due to modern security features (microdot, UV marking), which perform better and are easier/cheaper to implement using smooth-finish inlays.

Leaded chips are superior to unleaded chips in terms of handling (softer feel, more quiet /deeper sound, heftiness due to heavier weight) and wear characteristics (gentle rounding / smoothing of edges, lack of flea bites), while textured inlays on leaded chips are the cherry on top.
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Yes, lumping all of the old inlays into the same boat. Shaped, textured etc., I can see the appeal vs what is available today. But related to lead in chips it’s just transitive property > I like old inlays, old inlays are generally found on leaded chips, therefore I like leaded chips.

That’s what I’m asking, does the appeal have anything to do with lead itself, or other properties common on lead chip. Weight seems to vary either way.

Some people clearly prefer the softer feel. I am not sure I can feel the difference, and I’m not new to the game
 
kmccormick100 said:
Partly, but white feels and sounds different too. Tell me your leaded Gulfport $1s didn’t feel better than any other chips ever
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No, now that I think about it, you’re right. And the white Foxwoods ones too. They sounded leadier.
With both sets, the ones were in better condition than the fives, so maybe I assumed it was that, and never made the distinction based on color. Now I wish I had some to mess around with.
Oh eBay . . .
 
upNdown said:
No, now that I think about it, you’re right. And the white Foxwoods ones too. They sounded leadier.
With both sets, the ones were in better condition than the fives, so maybe I assumed it was that, and never made the distinction based on color. Now I wish I had some to mess around with.
Oh eBay . . .
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The old solids? Or the house molds?
 
ssanel54 said:
The old solids? Or the house molds?
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The old solids. THC, from 1993 or earlier - full of lead. If I had some chips that I wasn’t sure if they were leaded, I’d grab for a stack of those white $1 chips to compare the sounds of then riffling. Like I said, I never consciously thought about it, but I definitely was reaching for them because they sounded the leadiest.
But this goes back to my first point. Some leaded chips don’t feel very leaded. And there’s a guy now who says he’s got all the information and he’ll tell you “oh that chip only has 7% lead” or something like that. And I have no idea if he’s full of shit or not. But having chased leaded chips for years and having had and compared quite a few of them, I can tell you that sometimes you can’t really tell. So a lower lead percentage is one rational explanation.
But who wants lower lead content chips where you aren’t even sure? I mean sure, better than ASMs or whatever I guess. But would I pay a premium for chips that I couldn’t tell were leaded, but you told me with certainty we’re 7% lead (as opposed to 40%?). Probably not.
 
ssanel54 said:
Seems like Leaded Chips are the most recent Belle du Jour...

I am curious to hear other opinions on this. Is "leaded" just a new category to justify higher prices?
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Yes.

I am amused by the constant question in the classifieds: "Are these leaded?"
I have even started including a picture of a barrel or half barrel on the scale hoping to stop people from asking. But they still do.

As in "The pictures of these chips look good, and the weight on the scale is about 10 grams a chip. But can you provide a breakdown of the formula Paulson used that year so I know whether I want these or not?"

It's forking exhausting.
 
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10 g chips if lead or not feels great in play. I think with newer Paulson bright green or bright red has a big difference.

For example Sterling Cruise 25s are 10.6 g a chip.
ES 25s are 8.1 g a chip

Casablanca 5s (red purple edge spots) 10.6 g a chip
Tiger primary 5s 8.4 g a chip

Shuffle a barrel of each and you'll notice a difference in feel and sound.

Half of my sets are leaded, half are not. I have mixed sets that have non-lead and lead as well and will enjoy them mixed in. I'm a heathen but I enjoy them both.
 
I love lead. It makes everything better. Even bourbon.

lead.JPG
 
MatB said:
As collectors you have to add the metric that no more leaded chips will be made. Period.

Just this fact alone would make something more desirable.
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I guess if you only collect leaded chips then that may be factor, but wouldn’t the same logic apply to every casino that’s ever closed?
 
ssanel54 said:
I saw in another thread this morning a Noob asking for advice on a leaded starter set, but then saying he doesnt care if they are Bike tires.... I have no idea what the appeal of a Leaded set is to him, but can only imagine its because everyone blindly says they are the best....
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I read this one too. Pretty sure he mentioned this was a set he wanted to round out his collection so he could have a wide variety of sets. Casino, NAGB etc. Not just because they were leaded.

DirtyTIVA said:
Leaded THC are like naturally aspirated V8/10/12 engines. The urgency of the power and the sound cannot be replicated by engines that may be faster, more efficient, and have better torque at low rpms. Obviously if someone doesn’t care about sound buy a turbo V4 or an electric.
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This is a classic quote coming from a guy that doesn't even have a clutch pedal in any of his cars lol AND I still say the 1350HP turbo 4-cyl BMW F1 motors from back in the day sound better than most!!!

As far as "the allure" of Leaded chips go this topic makes me laugh. I'm not saying the difference between Leaded & not Leaded is like Dice Chips to Paulson but I am saying some people don't see/hear the difference. Similar to people who don't hear & feel the difference between Leaded & not leaded.
 
FlushBlack said:
Guess i was lucky not only because of being in the right place at the right time CT-09, but because i decided early i wanted older casino chips.

View attachment 1104340
Got all the lead i need.
And yes they sound better feel better and even smell better.
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Those Tropicanas are some sweet chips Terry. :love: I’ve played with those hot stamps a few times @ekricket and @travelgirls place. Fantastic chips! No comparison to todays newer Paulson’s or NAGB chips. Like night and day.
 

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