Chips Ahoy

Monday, July 24, 2000 | 10:09 a.m.

Casino: Sands

Denomination: $5

Colors: Blue and red

Year issued: 1952

Value: $10,000-plus

History: These chips were issued for only a short time because the logo on them was a Saguaro cactus, the same logo used by the Desert Inn, which protested its rival's similar design. The reissued Sands chips featured a cowgirl in an hourglass. Only two of the Sands cactus chips are known to exist.

Casino: Flamingo

Denomination: $25

Colors: Lavender

Year issued: 1946

Value: $10,000

History: These were the chips issued the day the casino was opened by gangster Bugsy Siegel, and thus they are called Bugsy chips. The Flamingo had a rough start financially and closed soon after it opened. When the resort reopened, new chips were issued. Only seven of the $25 Bugsy chips are known to exist. The $5 Bugsy chip sells for about $2,000. A $100 white chip is rumored to exist but has not yet surfaced. If it does exist, it would be unique -- "the Holy Grail of casino chips," according to the Official U.S. Casino Chip Price Guide.

Casino: Mint

Denomination: $5

Colors: Yellow, blue

Year issued: 1958

Value: $5,000

History: These chips were in use for a year or two, but that high of a denomination rarely was used by gamblers at the downtown resort that today is part of Binion's Horseshoe. Only two of these chips are known to exist.

Casino: Dunes

Denomination: $1

Colors: Dark blue

Year issued: Mid-1960s

Value: $300

History: These are popular chips among collectors because they feature a photo of the Dunes' Sultan, a statue that long stood in front of the old resort that was imploded to make room for the Bellagio. The Dunes' Sultan later stood behind the resort on the golf course but there it was destroyed by a fire.

Casino: Desert Inn

Denomination: $5

Colors: Brick red, yellow, gray.

Year issued: circa 1960

Value: $1,350

History: These chips feature a photo of Wilbur Clark, the most famous casino front man in Las Vegas history. Clark's name long appeared on the Desert Inn sign and he was noted for warmly greeting guests at the resort that recently was purchased by modern gaming giant Steve Wynn. The old DI is set to close this year, be torn down and replaced by a megaresort similar to the Mirage and Bellagio -- resorts Wynn built and recently sold.

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