There are choices we can make. We could choose to change chipping from a fun hobby with some financial reward into a business-first situation. Straight out, we do not consider chip collecting an investment opportunity by any stretch of the imagination. That does not mean that your collection won't appreciate in value. It most likely will.
Chips tend to appreciate in value when they leave a casino, and that's great.
They are described very comfortably using straightforward and simple descriptions, such as Uncirculated, Excellent, Used, Worn and Cancelled. These are descriptions painted with a very broad, almost casual, pen stroke because it makes good sense. Clearly, casino chips do not lend themselves to miniscule changes in description as shiny coin surfaces do. There are those who would like to implement a grading system within the chipping world, very similar to those used for coins, in an attempt to give chipping validity as an investment. This is done in hopes of selling it for more because a grade has been applied and the chip then encapsulated so its condition cannot be altered.