Old coin machine auction
Old coin machine auctions are drawn to machines with a story, especially those made in the 1800s and 1900s. The range of distinct coin operated machines offered at 1stDibs includes industrial, Art Deco and folk art styles.
The most sought-after items are the rarer machines that were built for specific cities or regions. An example would be a circa-1902 cast-iron Watling Cupid coin-op slot machine that was designed to accept either American or Canadian nickels. It sold for over $72,000 at Morphy’s April 20-22 sale.
Coins of Yesteryear: Delving into the Fascinating World of Old Coin Machine Auctions”
Other notable sales include a circa 1905 five-cent Caille Bros Roulette floor model slot machine that surpassed its high estimate of $200,000 at a May 9 sale hosted by Auctions USA. Its pristine condition likely contributed to the impressive result, as it is believed to have never been displayed at an arcade or other location.
Despite their age, some classic coin-op machines are still desirable for their aesthetics and the ability to function as intended. For instance, a 1952 Centennial coin has a distinctly different look to the more common modern pennies with pronounced spaces between the right foot and left foot of the letter ‘A’ in ‘America.’ This type is rare and desirable to collectors, and a mint-condition example sold for over $20,000 at the same auction.
Showtime Auctions, which specializes in Old West collectibles, also hosts antique and classic coin-op auctions. While they don’t feature the more esoteric machines listed above, they do often have interesting examples in their auctions. Other antique and classic auctions, such as those from Norton Auctioneers, frequently have a few antique coin-op machines in their sales.
