Casino Chips

[cpm9ball]

Besides coins, medals and shotglasses, I also collect casino chips. I have about 300. Most of my photos had to be deleted along with my photo software which became corrupted, so these are the only images I have left.

This first group of $10 gaming tokens are the Nevada Wildlife Series from Slots-A-Fun in Las Vegas. In addition to the Gray Wolf, Bald Eagle, Desert Tortoise and Big Horn Sheep shown here, I also have the Mountain Bluebird and the Gila Monster. The one in the red capsule is the "Valley of Fire", and it is the hardest to get. I won all of them on the two machines that are on the casino floor. In all, I have 50 of them.

Chris

PS. I forgot to mention that all of them are proof-like. The scratches you see are on the capsules that they come in. Many of them are "cashed in" by other players, and they are recycled into the machines.

[cpm9ball]

Actually, "chips" is an incorrect term. The correct term is "checks" because it is much like your bank checking account. These checks represent a demand note for payment in cash. If a casino should close its doors, the outstanding cheks are supposed to be destroyed.

The chips that have the most meaning for me is a set of commemoratives from the Riviera. Prior to attending the 25th Annual Billiard Congress of America National 8-Ball Championships in May, 2001, I contacted the Marketing Department of the Riviera and (successfully) encouraged them to produce $5 & $25 anniversary chips for the event. I even gave them the idea of what the design should look like - a take-off on 2001: A Space Odyssey using pool balls as planets. They sold out within hours of their release. The Marketing Department was so pleased especially since it was the first time they had ever produced a $25 commem, that they gave me 10 of each denomination and the proof sheet that is sent to the Nevada Gaming Commission to obtain approval for the chips. Eventually, I will get some photos to post in my Gallery.

In the meantime, here is another set of commems from Bally's in Las Vegas. These are for the 50th Anniversary of the United States Air Force.

Chris

[regandon]

No SR-71  I like those Airforce ones.

[cpm9ball]

Unfortunately, the set didn't include the Blackbird. I sure wouldn't mind having a real one. I could make the trip from South Florida to Vegas in 45 minutes.

Chris