Coin Slot Magazine - #085 - 1982 - March [International Arcade Museum]
Letters to the Editor continued
knocked it out They even bought a new factory at the end of
1947 to make the games.
This is an interesting hobby we have, and thanks for the
letter.
Sincerely,
Editor
ask a good question. And you're right. We can't seem tofind the
answer anywhere in print
And it's an interesting one that moves back andforth over the
years. Slot machines started with the nickel In fact, the early
inventors credited the American nickel (which was called the
nickle, for the metal, in those days) with making the slot
machine possible as it was such a strong, durable coin. About
1899 the quarter was added and that was a big move, as a
nickel was a lot ofmoney then. A quarter? It was likeplaying$5
today.
Also, about that time, the penny became popular for trade
stimulators.
Dear Editor,
I am a new subscriber and enjoy receiving your magazine.
1 would like to see a discussion of coin denominations for slot
machines. How many 1$, 5$, 10$, 25$, 50$ and$l machines
were made in relation to the others and how the different
denominations affect collectability and value. This is as impor
tant as selecting a make or model of machine for the new
collector but no information is available.
1 particularly like the large 50$ and $1 coins, but I am
By the time the three-reel Bell machine was invented in 1906
the nickel was the basic slot machine coin, with high rollers
goingfor quarter machines. Both coins, to this day, are strong,
easily handled mechanically, and small enough in value to be
easy to play — and lose — without trauma. Throughout the
1920s it was the nickel, sometimes the quarter and very
infrequently the half dollar, that appeared in most slot
machines. The dime began to appear then, probably starting
consistantly told these are less desirable than the small,
with the Cooper OPERATOR BELL made in San Francisco
commonly carried coin denominations.
around 1922, but it was and is a hard coin for a machine to
Sincerely,
John Hornung
handle. It frequently overlaps the next coin on the old
mechanical machines (the new electro-mechanical machines
Dear John,
channels and tubes) and leads to frequent jams and machine
have solved that problem by "accepting" not running through
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March, 1982
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