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 2 of three parts that show the second group of 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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Dots Mold:

26 Dots in the mold area, this style of chip was made between 1930 and 1946 by White's Club Room Equipment Company out of Cincinnati, Ohio.





H Mold:

This style of chip has a series of eight "H's" around its mold area.  Between 1940 and 1968 a large number of Nevada casinos used this chip mold manufactured by HC Edwards & Company out of New York City.




Hat & Cane Mold:

This is probably the most popular mold found in Nevada casinos.  First manufactured by Christy & Jones from 1955 till 1965 and then by the PaulSon Company from 1965 till the present.  PaulSon is now a part of Gaming Partners International out of France.  There are many variations of this mold that features eight top hats:  hats with no canes, hats with short canes, hats with long canes, hats with canes that alternate directions and inverted hats/canes.




Horse Head Mold:

Featuring 16 horse heads around the mold, the heads can either be facing left or right.  This mold was manufactured by Langworthy & Company.




Horseshoe Mold:

Sixteen horseshoes alternating between right side up and upside down encompass the mold of this chip.  Manufactured by TK Specialty Company between 1952 and the early 2000's.




House Mold:

Manufactured by PaulSon (now part of GPI) this mold design contains the casino name &/or logo &/or city and perhaps even the denomination.  I have been told from a very reliable source that it costs a casino $20,000 to have a house mold developed for them to use on their chips.




Large Crown Mold:

This chip is characterized as having four crowns separated by four dashes in its mold.  It was manufactured by TR King out of Los Angeles, CA between 1938 and 1967.




Large Key Mold:

This chip mold has 15 repetitions of a geometric Greek key design.  Manufactured by BC Wills & Company out of Detroit, Michigan between the mid-60's into the 80's.




Nevada Mold:

Characterized by the word "Nevada" twice separated by a pair of dice (showing a "5" and a "2") and a card hand showing four aces, this chip was manufactured by both the Bud Jones Company (now part of GPI) and the Nevada Dice Company.




Plain Mold:

Also known as a "Crest and Seal", this chip style was made by several manufacturers.






See parts 1 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.