Coin Slot

Coin Slot Magazine - #071 - 1981 - January [International Arcade Museum]
T®O®K®E
tokens do not themselves state that they were for coin
By Stephen P. Alpert
machine or amusement use, but their size and shape is a
P.O. Box 66331
good indication of such intended use.
Los Angeles, Calif. 90066
Ihis new monthly column
Ihk
In my book "Amusement Tokens of the United States
in the Coin Slot will explore
and Canada" by Stephen P. Alpert and Kenneth E. Smith,
the vast field of tokens associated with coin operated
over 10,000 different amusement machine tokens are
machines. Many machine manufacturers issued tokens
described. (Book available from me for $24.95 postpaid.)
that bear their name and/or the name of the machine.
Since its publication a little over a year ago, several
These were original parts or accessories of the machines,
thousand more tokens have been discovered, with no end
supplied by the manufacturer to the customer. Sometimes
the tokens are vague or cryptic, as rather than stating the
in sight. These are being listed serially in The Jackpot, the
bimonthly publication of the Amusement Token Collec
tors Association, published by Kenneth E. Smith, 328 Ave.
F, Redondo Beach, Calif. 90277, dues $5.00 per year.
This column encourages correspondence, and most
manufacturer
or
machine
name,
they
just
have
the
manufacturer's initial(s), or a distinctive design or wor
ding. Thus it is a challenge to determine which machines
particular tokens were originally made for.
In many cases, the machine manufacturers just bought
all interesting questions and the responses will be publish
ed in the Token Corner column. If you have a machine that
"stock tokens" from the token manufacturers, to sell with
used a particular token but you don't know what it is, write
their machines. These have phrases only, such as "For
and ask. Or if you have an unusual or interesting token you
Amusement Only," "No Cash Value," "Good For 5$ In
want identified (it doesn't have to be a machine token),
Trade," and could be used by many manufacturers.
send in a pencil rubbing, photo, orsketch (send directly to
The operators or owners of coin machines could also
buy the same tokens from the token
manufacturers,
directly or through middlemen. If they wanted their own
me at above address). I'll help you out as best as I can, and
maybe even supply you with the tokens you need.
Conversely, you the readers can help me. If you have a
name, address, or message on the tokens, it was much
machine with its original tokens, please let me know what
more expensive. Even so, tens of thousands of machine
the tokens are, especially if they don't have the machine or
operators or proprietors of bars, cigar stores, etc., had
manufacturer's name on the token. This is the only way
custom tokens made for use in their slot and pinball
many tokens can be linked to their machine. If you want a
machines. This way they could avoid the problem of
personal response, please enclose a stamped addressed
redeeming someone else's tokens. Most such custom
return envelope.
NAME CHANGE
Old Cards Worth Big Bucks
Jukebox Trader has apparently developed a
middle-age identity crisis. Already a successful
newsletter, Trader has decided that with his 40th
birthday (Issue) that a name change is needed.
Starting with the January 1981 issue, Trader will
become Jukebox Collector. "A newsletter serving
the Jukebox Collector and not afraid to say it."
If you will send a note to Rick Botts, 2545 SE 60th
Ct., Des Moines, Iowa 50317. Rick will see that
Trader (oops!) Collector sends you a January copy
as a gift.
By this time all of our readers have
received The Coin Slot Review. It has
met with very good response.
We would like to invite any dealers to
com
.
m
:
at any coming events.
u
e contact
rom Please
u a s supply.
m
d f send
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us and we d will
you
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loa P.O.
cad 612
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distribute these in your showrooms or
28 - THE COIN SLOT
© The International Arcade Museum
The newest collecting craze sweeping the world involves
decks of cards, says expert Roderick Somerville of
London, England. And it can mean big money. In fact, one
550-year-old deck is worth more than $100,000. Among
collectors' items are the Elvis deck, above, and the painted
shells deck, left, which is worth $300.
JANUARY, 1981
http://www.arcade-museum.com/