Coin Slot

Coin Slot Magazine - #079 - 1981 - September [International Arcade Museum]
SLOT MACHINES AS AN INVESTMENT
By Richard D. Reddock
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investment and of course you should always buy the
best quality you can afford. You don't need alot of
money to get started, but don't buy someone's piece of
junk just because it is a bargain — you only get what
Is the U.S. dollar dead?? One might think so. As
inflation has climbed over the last few years, predictions
of economic disaster and hyperinflation just around
you pay for and you should only deal with someone
the corner, some people have turned away from paper
machines are legal, check your local state law. While
money and
with a good reputation.
There are now 33 states where some sort of slot
investments long considered the
ownership is for non-gambling purposes, it may appear
domains of hobbyists and millionaires. This "gloom
that owning the right slot machine is not a gamble but a
and doom" philosophy of paper money may soon
good investment.
into
become worthless, so investing in "things" that will
keep their value. Some "things" people may be looking
to invest in are gold and silver coins, stamps, real
estate, gas and oil, strategic metals, rare books, stocks
and bonds and antiques and collectibles. However,
there is certainly no guarantee that you will make
money in any of these investments.
Prices of collectibles have boomed in the past few
years, because they are used as a hedge against
inflation and people are more aware of objects and
how they can enhance the quality of life. They can also
enjoy having a nice antique or collectible around to
enjoy while they compliment ones overall investment
objective of their future goals.
My wife and I started collecting some eleven years
ago when I was President of a mutual fund and was
looking for a way to temporarily get away from the
pressures of business, we found it at antique shows,
flea markets and auctionsand started out by collecting
advertising and country store items. That led to becom
ing a major collector of "Planters Peanuts" advertising
Some collectors, I know, have only one piece while
others have a houseful and collectors include almost
anyone you can think of.
The expensive gambling collectibles are the old oak
uprights, manufactured just before or right after 1900,
and many nice examples survived and I am sure many
more are still hidden behind walls, in attics and base
ments and who knows where else. That is part of the
fun of collecting, finding the items.
Some of the rules that my wife, Barbara, and I follow
may be of some help to you, so here they are:
1.
Buy what you like, it could be with you for some
time.
2.
Be prepared to hold your investment for several
years to realize a profit. This is not a"get rich quick
game".
3. While you are waiting, there will be no interest or
dividend return, but unlike gold or silver you can
enjoy the beauty of a nice slot machine and also
the enjoyment of playing it.
and collectibles and then writing a book on the subject
and meeting many interesting people all over the
country. Some years ago we received a phone call
from Claire & Charles McCann who wanted to come
over and trade some country store items for some
Planters jars, we spent a pleasant day together and
when I asked them what they collected, Chuck answered
"slot machines, coin-operated side show banners and
magic posters". Shortly thereafter, we purchased our
PIN BALL MACHINES
Used
Arcade
Machines
first slot machines, a 250 Watling, followed by a 5<5
Jennings CHIEF, followed by a Mills BURSTING
CHERRY etc....etc....Barbara said we have switched
from Planters jars that break to slot machines that we
can't lift, "how about stamps," she asked, but there was
something very different about those slot machines,
made by craftsmen and various companies from the
1800's up to World War 11. Many were broken, smashed,
and dumped in the ocean by supposedly honest
politicians trying to save the world by outlawing slot
IN GOOD
WORKING ORDER
$292. Each
F.O.B.
machines, thousands of others lie forgotten in base
ments, attics and bams all across America waiting to
be discovered again.
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If you believe that inflation will be with us, then
maybe investing in collectibles and slot machines are
for you.
For those of you that are thinking of purchasing a slot
machine, now may be a good time to start, or to add to
your collection. The high interest rates, at the present
time, have caused what is known as a "soft market" in
many collectible items including slot machines. Keep
in mind that the first rule is enjoyment, you have to like
having them around, they are basically a long term
© The International Arcade Museum
September 1981
10 or more
$219. Each
F.O.B.
DomfRacer
DISTRIBUTORS, Inc.
J
5218 WOOSTER ROAD, CINCINNATI, OHIO45226, U.S.A.
PHONE: (513) 871-1678
http://www.arcade-museum.com/
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