How can you tell if your Paulsons are leaded? (1 Viewer)

[kaysirtap]

Just as the title says, how can you tell if your Paulsons are leaded? Thanks!

 

[Machine]

I like to lick them them about 5 or 6 times, if they taste like lead or metallic, they are leaded!!

 

[ekricket]

Weigh them.

 

[JWC]

Buying - lead free
Selling - sweet lead goodness

 

[kaysirtap]

Weigh them.

What should I be looking for in regards to weight?

 

[navels]

Put one chip close up to your ear. If you can hear angels singing, it’s leaded.

 

[Machine]

What should I be looking for in regards to weight?

You're looking for Casino Weight™

 

[Machine]

Here is a post with a leaded barrel - https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/derby-gran-casino-5s-3-racks.102341/post-2117468

photo courtesy of @Littleluck55 These appear to be about 10.55g each, but leaded can be in the high 9s I believe. They may also have specs of metal bits that are visual. Post some photos, sometimes people will just know ...

 

[upNdown]

What should I be looking for in regards to weight?

You should look for them to be 1-2 grams heavier than unleaded Paulsons of the same color on the same mold.
And if that sounds useless, welcome aboard.

Its often difficult to tell for sure. If you can date the chips, you can safely assume any Paulsons made between around 1978 and 1995ish are fully leaded. And Paulsons made between around 1995 and 2005ish might contain some lead (but less lead than chips made the two decades prior.) Of course, you need to know when that chip was actually made because if a casino ordered chips in 1993, then reordered replacements in 2010, tghe replacements will look the same but won't be leaded.
It isn't easy

People have suggested lead test kits. I haven't tried one yet, which is surprising since this has been one of my favorite topics for years.

 

[upNdown]

They may also have specs of metal bits

Specks of metal bits are other metals (like brass) which are used for weight and/or appearance. But to my knowledge, visable specks are never lead.

 

[ChipEnvy]

The leaded ones make you feel taller and stronger. They have a glow to them that makes them far superior to any others. Girls will flock to you like bees to honey, and all your dreams will come true.

 

[upNdown]

Girls will flock to you like bees to honey

No, I believe you're thinking of the wicked spades ceramic chips.

 

[FDLmold]

When I get more time later I can help with the answer.

 

[ekricket]

Also, are you concerned for your health?
Or your pocketbook?

Because they are worse on your financials than they are your health.

 

[cpiaaq]

The answer is not as clear as anyone would like. It’s about when the chips were made, that determines the clay-formula the chips were made with.

Since dates aren’t usually on the chips, you can use records of when the casino opened to help date them.

There are also some features that Paulson stopped offering during the time they were phasing out lead from their clay-formula. These are good flags/indicators for identifying leaded chips but aren’t absolute. Chips with the below features are usually leaded:
Shaped inlay
Textured inlay
Shallow-recess LCV mold

I hope this helps a little!

 

[DZPoker]

When you get that “special feeling” down below……they’re leaded.

Only sure fire test that works for men…for women…for anyone in-between….is to test for that feeling!

 

[chippitydoodah]

When you get that “special feeling” down below……they’re leaded.

Only sure fire test that works for men…for women…for anyone in-between….is to test for that feeling!

I think you just came from the Hiatt vs Gilmartin post

 

[FlushBlack]

 

[MeridianFC]

Find Superman. If he can't see through your chips, they're leaded.

@upNdown's post about weight and/or time or production is pretty spot on.

 

[jpietrella]

Specks of metal bits are other metals (like brass) which are used for weight and/or appearance. But to my knowledge, visable specks are never lead.

The only exception to this that I've encountered might be the LCO $100s.

I used to have a few barrels and I distinctly remember being able to see some metallic specks, which was the first time I had seen something like that in person. I'm not certain but I'm pretty sure the LCOs are leaded.

 

[BGinGA]

The only exception to this that I've encountered might be the LCO $100s.

I used to have a few barrels and I distinctly remember being able to see some metallic specks, which was the first time I had seen something like that in person. I'm not certain but I'm pretty sure the LCOs are leaded.

Visual metallic content is not an indicator of lead in chips. The metal added to Paulson chips is a security feature, and is often aluminum or zinc.

 

[jpietrella]

Visual metallic content is not an indicator of lead in chips.

I never said it was. Merely saying that I'm pretty certain the LCO $100s are leaded chips and I remember seeing metallic flakes on their surface.

Typically chips with visual metallic content are not leaded. I'm just saying these may be an exception.

 

[bergs]

I throw them at @MatB and when he complains the loudest, I know those were heaviest and thus made of lead.

Or I just threw them harder. It’s great fun either way.

 

[BGinGA]

Typically chips with visual metallic content are not leaded. I'm just saying these may be an exception.

I'm not sure that's accurate. Lots of older Paulson leaded chips have metallic flakes. I believe they were first introduced in the early 1990's.

 

[jamesjkim]

I hear an audible difference when handling. More like metal clicking/clacking when shuffling vs thuddy for unleaded.

Weight is the other but not as reliable.

 

[jpietrella]

I'm not sure that's accurate. Lots of older Paulson leaded chips have metallic flakes. I believe they were first introduced in the early 1990's.

Great.