Hey Nick! I did a smartcard module for the old Cobalt Raq/Qube systems back in ~1999/2000, perl. Worked fine but few customers IIRC. Since then only used a bunch of bank ones. Can probably help you find cheapies from China, eg. try a search like https://s.taobao.com/search?q=智能卡 (92% < USD$3) with results like https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.201.VcCJvD&i... (100 cards + USB programmer for ~USD$70). We are flying back to Sydney tonight... if you are back before xmas drop me a line. (NXPs only: https://s.taobao.com/search?q=智能卡+nxp)