Below are some of the more popular chip types and molds that have been used in Nevada casinos over the past 80 years.  This is not an all-inclusive list but rather a sample of 30 different examples of real casino chips.  This is part 1 of three parts that show the first ten molds/types.

A "mold" is the pattern that can be found on the outside area of the chip between the edge and the inlay which is the center part of the chip.  Molds can help identify which manufacturer made the chip as well as a certain time period that the chip was made.  With each type we'll show you an actual Nevada casino chip of that style.

To write this guide I referenced "The Chip Rack" by Knapp, Myers and Wheelden, "A Collectors Guide to Nevada Gaming Checks & Chips" by Herz and Eisenstadt's online mold resource.


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8 Suits Mold:

Manufactured by the Bud Jones Company, these chips are made of plastic &/or nylon.  They have the four suits repeated twice around the outside mold area of the chip.





Arodie Mold:

Manufactured by Tom Haines & Company between 1953 and 1968 this is one of the most popular of all chip molds for collectors.  It is characterized by twelve arrowheads alternating with 12 dice.




Brass Core Type:

Also referred to as a PMSC (Plastic Molded Slug Core) or simply a Slug Core.  This style of chip was developed in the 1970's.  The plastic injected material is molded over a metal or brass core.  Both the plastic and the metal is visible.




Chipco Pro-Tech® Type:

Made in Windham, Maine these ceramic, 10 gram chips are highly graphic and multi-colored.  They are extremely durable, have artwork that goes from edge to edge and often you can find text, symbols or denominations on the rolling edge of the chip.




Coin Inlay Type:

Manufactured by the Bud Jones Company these chips have a coin or metal center with a plastic outer area.  Very durable, these chips have been discontinued since Gaming Partners International (GPI) purchased Bud Jones a few years ago.




Cord Mold:

Manufactured by the E.M. O'Neil & Company out of Chicago, Illinois.




Diamond Mold:

Characterized by 26 repeating Diamonds this chip mold was manufactured by the Jack Todd Company out of Kansas City, Missouri.




Dice & Card Pips Mold:

Characterized by twelve pips and six dice this mold was manufactured by Ewing Manufacturing Company.



Dice/Cards Mold.

Four alternating sets of Dice (a "5" and a "2") and four hands of cards, this mold is often referred to as a DieCar mold.  It was manufactured by both The Bud Jones Company and the Nevada Dice Company.




Dice Swirl Mold:

Characterized by six different dice each with a "tail", this mold was manufactured by the Midwest Game Supply Company.






See parts 2 and 3 for the rest of the molds/types of chips.

Take a look at some of our other guides to learn more about the exciting hobby of casino chip collecting.

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We've been collecting chips since 1986, selling them since 1995, on eBay since 1998 and working with Chipco International to make custom chips since '98 as well.  If you have any questions about casino chips, custom chips or eBay feel free to contact me through our About Me page.