For both my sets, the
mold was
directly tied to my theme (DSQ for architecture of theme; HHR for Old American West). Sure, many go with what is aesthetically pleasing and there is nothing wrong with that, but it is something to think about and consider.
The fatter the
spot, the cheaper it is in almost all cases. x14 spots such as 414, 3d14, 4d14, 614, etc. are some of the all-time best across all denoms, are classic
and classy, and are somehow going to cost nearly the least relative to most patterns. Utilize that to its fullest. I did so w/ my workhorse chip and couldn't be happier.
Shaped
inlays can elevate any set and take it to the next level, but only when it makes sense. It is fully dependent on the inlay and theme. My newest set had the inlay as its focal point and needed to take center stage, so making them shaped would have been a disservice to not use every bit of space possible in the inner-circle.. Does it make sense for what you're building?
I'm not going to tell anyone to not be money-conscious, but the price difference for weighted vs non-weighted
colors is not high enough IMO to not go with what is simply the best look/option for your set.
Finally,
the best way to save money is by making the most efficient/optimal breakdown possible. If you are "wasting" extra money on chips, denominations, etc., then is 10c/chip for one of the above factors versus an extra ~$80+/barrel in excessive chips
really going to matter?
Things to consider, although I haven't read the other posts so this is all probably already addressed. GL!
(Edit - lol talking to OP not realizing he's been MIA for a while and not in this thread since the first month of 2025 - y'all bumping threads from Jan
)