The Casino Chip and Collectibles Show is a dream come true for fans of gaming memorabilia, history junkies, and anyone who appreciates the legacy and culture of Las Vegas. The 31st edition of the event is open to the general public at the South Point, June 13-15 with dealers and exhibits showing off chips, table felts, slot machines, and anything else with a casino name on it. You can even take part in auctions or historical seminars (free with registration). Brad Smith of the Casino Collectibles Association, the nonprofit behind the event, shares more.
If you're a collector, you're probably going to be in heaven at a place like this. But you might just be a long-time Las Vegan with a few chips lying around at home. Can people show up and gauge their value?
“Sure. They absolutely can. Come in and show them to the dealers. You'll get an idea of a price range. A lot of people say, ‘I had these chips in my junk drawer forever and I've always wondered if they were worth anything.’ Bring ‘em in.”
Is there a chip that's considered the holy grail for collectors — one that would be the equivalent of ‘Superman’ issue #1 or something like that?
“There was a chip used in 1960 and ‘61 at the Showboat that has a beautiful reproduction of a showboat from the old Mississippi days. It’s worth a lot of money. The $5 chip from the Lucky Casino in Downtown Las Vegas. It opened in ‘63 on the site of the former Lucky Strike Casino and only operated for four years before it closed. The Golden Goose was a slots-only place in Downtown, except for one single blackjack table, from March ‘76 through August ‘77. So Golden Goose chips are worth a lot of money.”
We're getting better at it, but Vegas has a reputation for not preserving its history. We implode these old casinos and the chips and memorabilia are the only things left. It's really important for historical preservation, isn't it?
“That’s exactly right. The memories will never go away. And for those who didn't see those casinos, it’s a fascinating look back at what gaming was all about, how it started, how it worked, and how it was organized. And for those who did live through some of that, it’s a trip down memory lane.”
The Casino Chips and Collectibles Show registration and admission is open to the public June 13, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ($10 admission), June 14, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. ($5 admission), and June 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (free admission) at Exhibit Hall C at the South Point Hotel & Casino.
