Coin Slot
Issue: 1982 March 085 - Page 8
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
You may be new to this game and The Coin Slot, but you sure
EAST COAST
^ANTIQUE ADVERTISING^
COLLECTORS
SHOW
problems.
FOR SALE:
Texaco Filling Station for pocket lighters. Un
usual gas pump style vending machine from the
'30s with visible reserve and dial indicator with 3
hands on front. $1.00 sends poloroid or call for
information.
BUCKLEY BONES OWNERS:
^^^
A show and sale of tins, country store items, posters,
Victorian artifacts, toys, paper Americana,
(KEYpromotionS
coin-ops and other collectibles
With This Ad
P.O. BOX 51 • METUCHEN, N.J. 06840 • (201) 494 5524 • (201) 233 7949 .
Please Help
Me Find The f TT
Missing
com
.
m
:
u
Front Door!
from -muse
d
e
e
load .arcad
GIL
JONES
n
w
o
D
8850 Monroe
www
/
/
:
p
Houston,
htt Texas 77061
(713)643-3387
— International
THE COIN
SLOT
© 6
The
Arcade
Museum
Replacement name tags, Complete set of 4
etched nickel-silver with black enamel back
ground (can be brass plated). Set of 4 - $95.00
postpaid.
HOT ITEM:
I have just acquired a decent quantity of exceptionally
fine TIGERSTRIPEQUARTERSAWN WHITE OAK!! I will
cut, mill, book-match grain and pattern, and fabricate to
your specification anything from a single board to a
complete double Caille upright cabinet or back-bar.
Order now — I won't have this rare wood for very long.
We offer complete line of restoration services.
Write for itemized list of special services.
Restoration - Oesign - Engineering
of Antique Amusement Machines
to Museum Standards.
Mechanisms • Cabinetry
Custom Artwork
Creative
Restoration
TONY GOODSTONE
"... part mechanic, part artist, part magician .. .his work is done right..."
- LOOSE CHANGE MAGAZINE
P.O. Box 35683
Los Angeles, Ca. 90035
(213)857-1307
(Svc) 462-6565
March, 1982
http://www.arcade-museum.com/
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
You may be new to this game and The Coin Slot, but you sure
EAST COAST
^ANTIQUE ADVERTISING^
COLLECTORS
SHOW
problems.
FOR SALE:
Texaco Filling Station for pocket lighters. Un
usual gas pump style vending machine from the
'30s with visible reserve and dial indicator with 3
hands on front. $1.00 sends poloroid or call for
information.
BUCKLEY BONES OWNERS:
^^^
A show and sale of tins, country store items, posters,
Victorian artifacts, toys, paper Americana,
(KEYpromotionS
coin-ops and other collectibles
With This Ad
P.O. BOX 51 • METUCHEN, N.J. 06840 • (201) 494 5524 • (201) 233 7949 .
Please Help
Me Find The f TT
Missing
com
.
m
:
u
Front Door!
from -muse
d
e
e
load .arcad
GIL
JONES
n
w
o
D
8850 Monroe
www
/
/
:
p
Houston,
htt Texas 77061
(713)643-3387
— International
THE COIN
SLOT
© 6
The
Arcade
Museum
Replacement name tags, Complete set of 4
etched nickel-silver with black enamel back
ground (can be brass plated). Set of 4 - $95.00
postpaid.
HOT ITEM:
I have just acquired a decent quantity of exceptionally
fine TIGERSTRIPEQUARTERSAWN WHITE OAK!! I will
cut, mill, book-match grain and pattern, and fabricate to
your specification anything from a single board to a
complete double Caille upright cabinet or back-bar.
Order now — I won't have this rare wood for very long.
We offer complete line of restoration services.
Write for itemized list of special services.
Restoration - Oesign - Engineering
of Antique Amusement Machines
to Museum Standards.
Mechanisms • Cabinetry
Custom Artwork
Creative
Restoration
TONY GOODSTONE
"... part mechanic, part artist, part magician .. .his work is done right..."
- LOOSE CHANGE MAGAZINE
P.O. Box 35683
Los Angeles, Ca. 90035
(213)857-1307
(Svc) 462-6565
March, 1982
http://www.arcade-museum.com/
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).