Thanks! I started to be a bit worried that no one would comment on my new chips
The cleaning did'nt help much I'm afraid. These $100's I just received look like they have'nt seen much play so I doubt I'll even wash them. The main problem is the brass chips, which don't shine. I saw some interesting suggestions on Wikipedia for preventing tarnish, but I don't know what would be the best way to get them shine again.
For the $100 chips, you can check the WTB section, someone had a lot of these same chips that he wanted to trade although I think he wanted to get rid of the entire set.
The $500 have been very useful, and I think they are cool when put to play. I just ask the chipleader to change them into $100 so that I can color up the $25's. Also it saves some money, since they are'nt that expensive - but it annoys me that they are of a different mold. I.e. they are not V7's. I doubt any of my friends could tell the difference but they feel slightly lighter and I think the V7's have nicer designs.
Edit: Forgot to say that I also love the oversized $1000's. If I could get my hands on them for a decent price then I'd definately would get them instead of $500's.