The Platinum Collection by Howard W. Herz The Platinum Collection sought. In several instances entire In several months collectors will collections were purchased to com- have a unique opportunity to bid (or bine missing pieces with the master watch others bid) on one of America’s collection. These included the superb greatest gaming collections that com- collection of Dr. Ariagno and the bines gaming check rarities and gam- unique dies and samples of the 1965 ing tokens. The Platinum collection gaming tokens produced by Osbourne has two distinct characteristics that Coinage Co. In the 1990’s, the unique Harrah’s platinum token was finally set it apart from other collections. As Harvey’s original collection con- added to the token collection making a collection of gaming tokens, it is the tained more than 26,000 gaming it the most complete in the world. definitive collection that has almost checks from around the world and every known specimen issued by around 3,800 different Nevada gam- Today, the collection represents Nevada casinos. As a collection of ing tokens. Between 1965, when the the definitive collection of Nevada gaming checks, it features some of collection was started and the early gaming tokens and contains numer- the great rarities from Reno, Lake 1990’s, when the collection was sold, ous patterns, proofs and specimen Tahoe and Las Vegas. As a combined Harvey’s obtained many of the rarest strikes along with the standard busi- collection, it has the distinction of and highest quality gaming checks ness strikes. being a collection that can not be and tokens that were available when reproduced and is the single finest collecting gaming items was in its Luck, fate and fortune have all collection of Nevada chips and tokens infancy. In several instances over played a hand in the creation of the in the world. James Campiglia, a the years, entire collections were pur- Platinum collection. Despite being consultant to the collection, has repre- chased and combined into a master sold a number of times, many of the sented many of the collection pieces collection of checks and tokens. A original checks from Harvey’s collec- as being very desirable and extremely number of dealers assisted in the tion are still in the group. Having rare. Gaming Archaeology’s considers development of the token collection been sold to some of America’s top the gaming tokens to be abundant in including Elta Gray and Frank collectors of the day such as Gene rarities in super condition. The collec- Mantell. Checks and tokens were con- Grossblatt, Bruce Landau and Jerry tion is named for the unique platinum stantly upgraded and duplicates were Wall, these pieces have once again dollar gaming token that the Franklin traded for additional items. Mint made for William Harrah in found their way back into the collec- tion. 1965 and is considered to be the first In the early 1990’s, Harvey’s col- Nevada gaming token. lection was sold to new owners and Gaming checks and tokens are the the gaming checks were auctioned tangible artifacts of a casinos Building the Collection over a period of 4 years. Several casi- existence. With many of the rarest no check groups in the collection and most historic checks and tokens The Platinum collection has a were purchased by a single collector included, the Platinum collection unique provenance that has given it who continued to acquire additional reflects the development of the both depth and quality. Major por- material that specialized on the strip Nevada gaming industry from the tions of the collection are the original casinos of Las Vegas. pieces acquired by Harvey’s Resort crowded club rooms of the 1930’s to the Mega strip resorts of Las Vegas in Hotel starting in 1965. Additional The entire gaming token collection the 21st Century. rarities from other great collections as remained intact and the new owner well as single pieces that have continued to collect as new pieces As gaming checks and tokens con- surfaced over the last decade have were issued by the casinos. In every tinue to gain in popularity with been added to the collection in instance, the best condition was recent years. collectors, this pioneering collection CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 21 will always be recognized as one of the defining collections of the hobby. With 2,400 plus gaming checks and more than 3,800 gaming tokens, the collection reflects the wide variety of gaming check and token styles that Nevada casinos have used for the past 74 years of legalized gaming. The Platinum collection reflects 40 years of collecting. Collectors and gaming historians can view the collection at www.chipsandtokens.com A few of the highlights of the col- lection are illustrated on the following pages. 1965 (O) Diamond Jim’s 50¢ One of two known examples of the rare issue struck only as samples in brass. (Token shown enlarged) 1965 (O) Sonoma Inn One of two known examples struck in brass. Considered one of the rarest of the Harvey’s Crystal Bay Club 1965 token issues. 1965 - (MTE) Pattern 1965 - MTE 22 CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 $100 Aladdin Hotel $100 Excalibur Hotel Csino $100 Monte Carlo Casino Limited Edition Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada $100 Bally’s Hotel $100 Golden Nugget $100 Ramada Express Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada Laughlin, Nevada $25 Buffalo Bills $100 Hard Rock Cafe $100 Rio Suites Hotel Jean, Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada $100 Caesars Tahoe $100 MGM Sands Hotel Casino $100 Stardust Hotel State Line Lake Tahoe Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada CASINO CHIP AND TOKEN NEWS | Summer 2005 23 Gaming Checks of gaming in 1931, the Bank Club but sometimes complained that the from the Platinum Collection moved up to the street level in April edges were too sharp. of 1931 with a “Grand Opening” that 1 celebrated the legalization of gaming 9 $5 Harrah’s and its acceptance by Reno’s citizens. 10¢ Palace Club Reno, Nevada - Circa 1950’s Reno, Nevada (1934-1979) 5 One of Harrah’s first inlaid gaming $5 New China Club One of Reno’s oldest clubs that checks. As Harrah’s developed from a Reno, Nevada - (1952-1971) was operating before the legalization “tango” or bingo parlor to a full of gaming in 1931. The club was fledged gaming house, they began to One of Reno’s clubs that catered to located near the train station and expand on Virginia Street. At first clientele of all races during the could trace its roots to the days before they used plain hot stamped checks, days when Nevada gaming was segre- gaming was prohibited in 1910. but graduated to the more expensive gated. Bill Fong operated the club and inlaid checks in the early 1950’s. featured keno as well as a full line of 10 table games. $2.50 Primadonna Club 2 Reno, Nevada (1955-1974) $100 Colony Club 6 Reno, Nevada (1946-1964) 50¢ Zimba’s Ernie Primm’s club featured larger Reno, Nevada (1969-1972) than life dancing girl statues over This small casino was located on its entrance on Virginia Street. This the corner of Virginia street and A small club located in Reno’s style of gaming check features a Commercial Row in downtown Reno. Commercial Row area. One of the “pie” color design. Ernie Primm was The owners would not sell to their more colorful checks issued in an experienced gambler from the card neighbor Harolds club but leased the Nevada in a low denomination. rooms of Gardena, California who roof to Harolds for a sign. Every moved to Nevada. month the check for the sign rental 7 came in from Harolds and the rest of $1000 Harold’s Club 11 the gaming profits were gravy. Reno, Nevada (1935-1970) $5 China Mint Reno, Nevada (1960-1963) 3 Possibly one of Reno’s most world $5 The Town House famous casinos. A high denomination One of Reno’s Asian clubs located Reno, Nevada - (Circa 1950’s) check featuring a portrait of its on Lake Street between 1960 and founder Harold Smith in his cowboy 1963. The owners, Frank Chung, Featuring “The Riding Lesson” by hat. The club actively promoted their Henry Leong, Andrew Young and Lou Hymer - a local illustrator’s business around the world with William Baily Sr. operated slots and famous characterization of the dude signs that noted the distance to table games. In 1963 they moved ranch cowboy and two divorcees Harolds Club. After years of family their license to the Happy Budda getting a riding lesson in a bar. The ownership, the Smith family sold the Club. small club operated from 1932 to casino to Howard Hughes in 1970. 1955. Its cozy atmosphere was 12 favored by locals. 8 $20 United Club Reno $100 RR (Reno Ramada) Reno, Nevada (1962-1964) 4 Reno, Nevada (1980-1989) $100 Bank Club Reno A small club located in Douglas Reno, Nevada - (Circa 1940’s) A small casino operation to the Alley, an area where Reno’s gaming northeast of the downtown center. started in the late 1920’s. This club Reno’s most famous club of the The casino survived for 9 years but was owned by Gene and Tom Wong. 1930’s and 1940’s operated by Bill could not compete against the solid They featured slots, 21 and a poker Graham and James McKay. downtown clubs. Their brass core game. The Club closed in October of Originally opened in the basement of checks were an innovation in gaming 1964.