Immy's Casino Royale

[Immy]

Sleepy's dime thread was the inspiration for this (with apologies to the James Bond franchise). Now that I'm visiting the El Cortez more often than usual (aka one of the last coin-op casinos in Vegas) it's time to create a thread to post ongoing results. I can't say it'll be as frequently updated as Sleepy's, but count on at least one or two excursions a month with hopefully interesting finds. Only wish I had the stamina and eyesight of my younger years.

In addition, with about 35 years of casino searching in the books, I'll augment my posts with stats and trivia from past casino visits.


Yesterday was a pretty great day amongst the nickels. These two beauties were in my bucket from around $100 searched. And after some Nik-A-Date treatment the year 1916 emerged. 2nd buffalo this year!


I always try to situate myself near the self-serve coin counters since the reject chutes are good sources of stuff. Yesterday was no exception. A guy came in with a large bag of non-casino coins. We got chatting and he said he got them from a storage unit he bought. Told him I'd take any rejects he didn't want and he gave me the 1981 Taiwan 10 dollars pictured above. Checking another machine also got me the 1950 Hong Kong 10 cent-er, my oldest foreign coin this year. Great stuff!

Fun Stats: Last 1916 buffalo I found was on 4/27/04. And, amazingly, the last 45-S war nickel I found on...9/3/11, exactly eight years ago to the day!

This Week in Casino Searching History: In 1999, I completed a roll of 1954-D nickels.

 

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[Immy]

$100/HALVES

2012-D & 2014-D joined the NIFC ranks from today's El Cortez visit, bringing the total to 16 of 42. Found another 1980-S proof too.


Fun Stats: The only NIFC years I'm missing completely are 2002, 2005, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020 & 2021, though according to forum reports I don't have long to wait for the '21s.

This Week in Casino Searching History: In 2019, this thread started!

 

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[Immy]

Wartime Nickels [512]

1942-P (11/4/19) [31]

1942-S (12/10/19) [22]

1943-P (9/6/21) [107]

1943-D (9/15/09) [9]

1943-S (9/12/21) [104]

1944-P (12/17/19) [53]

1944-D (9/24/19) [21]

1944-S (10/30/20) [22]

1945-P (6/15/21) [59]

1945-D (8/12/11) [21]

1945-S (3/23/21) [63]

It wasn't a fluke! The Cortez not only welcomed me back with some wartime silver (1943-S) but threw in this shabby 1964-D quarter to sweeten the deal. Silver is silver, no matter how dirty!

Fun Stats: We've passed 2020's pitiful total of 12 wartimes. Next up is the sixteen found in 2019.

This Week in Casino Searching History: In 2000, I also found a 1943-S nickel.

 

[Immy]

***MAJOR EL CORTEZ DEVELOPMENT***​

Nickel searching in Las Vegas casinos may be coming to an end

When I arrived there today one of the two remaining carousels of six coin-op nickel machines was gone. I quickly went to the other "tower" section of the casino and was relieved to see the other six still there, and naturally fully occupied. To the best of my knowledge these are the last coin-op nickel machines in Vegas casinos. I confirmed with a slot tech that the others were indeed permanently mothballed but he wouldn't commit on whether these final half dozen would eventually disappear as well. He was unaware that no other Vegas properties have nickel slots.

What was the reason for this? One can only speculate - the slow push to 100% coinless; the COVID coin shortage; the value of a nickel...who knows? But I'm fairly certain they're not going to stockpile thousands of dollars in nickels for only six machines for very long. I very much doubt they'll last into 2022, which, coincidentally, is ten years after the elimination of Vegas penny slots.

It also means 37 years of casino hunting will essentially come to an end for me. The keepers from quarters simply aren't worth the trouble and halves haven't caused much of a stir apart from the occasional NIFC. Plus I'm not getting any younger. Also, even if the final six machines remain intact for awhile, nabbing a seat is difficult since they're popular with the "usual gang" of nickel players.

So with that bit of depression out of the way, here's what I was able to score today:




$100/HALVES

This elicited a genuine laugh when I pulled it from the casino cup. Of all the proof years that could surface, a 1987-S is kinda special. Along for the ride was a 2005-P, bringing the NIFC total to 17 of 42.


Fun Stats: The '87-S completes that year series. 87 P & D have been found previously but never the S-mint.

This Week in Casino Searching History: In 2009, I found my 9th and final 1943-D war nickel.

 

[Immy]

I believe after today's trip, my regular visits to the El Cortez will diminish significantly. The final six nickel machines were still there but, as expected, it was a chore acquiring a seat. I suppose I could bring home $20-$40 to search but even that doesn't appeal to me at the moment. Months of doing that with quarters has no doubt worn me out.

So I settled for some in-casino quarter and half hunting, with some decent results.

$200/QUARTERS

Looking for mintmarks in a sparsely lit casino atmosphere isn't the greatest, but I managed a 2020-W Tallgrass.

$100/HALVES

The NIFC list is slowly filling in, now 18 of 42 thanks to today's 2009-D find. I wish halves were a good enough reason by themselves to hit the Cortez weekly. Monthly will have to suffice for the foreseeable future.


Fun Stats: Including pocket change discoveries, I've passed half a roll of West Pointers.

This Week in Casino Searching History: In 2011, I found my oldest Canadian nickel - a 1943 Tombac - at the Western Casino.

 

[CardsNCoins]

Glad to see you're still going strong Immy, I will try to check in more often.

 

[Immy]

$125/Quarters
First trip to the Cortez in several weeks today and hot damn did I get a lot out of a little. Since I mercifully have a few consecutive days off this week I brought home some quarters to peruse, and lookee what I found! The long-awaited 2021-P Crossing the Delaware., which completes the circulation series except for two West Pointers (Bats & Marsh Billings). Speaking of the W's, 2019 Lowell also came along for the ride. I've looked thru $400 with fewer results!

$100/Halves
A 2002-D joined the NIFC roster. And earlier this month I snagged a 2021-D from circulation, amazingly. I'm up to 19 of 42 NIFC's.

Fun Stats: The "entire" quarter series in roughly 7 months.

This Week in Casino Searching History: Exactly a year ago today was another fun Cortez visit when I nabbed a 1923 Buffalo.

 

[TxTim]

Hey Immy!
Love this thread.
You are a dedicated addict!

 

[Immy]

Hey Immy!
Love this thread.
You are a dedicated addict!

Glad you're enjoying it TxTim!

Afraid I don't anticipate contributing more in the near future. I will stop by the Cortez at some point but situating myself at a nickel machine has become near impossible with the "usual gang" of players beating me to it.

There was also a recent article in a local magazine about Vegas casinos eventually going cashless. Some already have, and while it won't happen next month or next year, it will happen, and I have to come to terms with the end a 35+ year hobby.

And quite frankly, TNet's new look doesn't thrill me. Tables look weird now, and I miss the cob wallpaper. Just can't get comfortable with the transformation.

 

[Immy]

A new year means new quarters, and new searches at the Cortez. I doubt I'll keep up the pace of last year, but I'll stop by once a month or so to see what I can find. The above new design will thankfully make them stand out.



Today's $200 in quarters didn't produce any 2022's but this 2008 Panamanian quarter balboa was an interesting find. Only 14 mil minted too. Also got a 2020-W Tallgrass (not pictured). Still need two more 2020 West Pointers to have all ten.

 

[srcdco]

A new year means new quarters, and new searches at the Cortez. I doubt I'll keep up the pace of last year, but I'll stop by once a month or so to see what I can find. The above new design will thankfully make them stand out.



Today's $200 in quarters didn't produce any 2022's but this 2008 Panamanian quarter balboa was an interesting find. Only 14 mil minted too. Also got a 2020-W Tallgrass (not pictured). Still need two more 2020 West Pointers to have all ten.

I got one of the Maya Angelou quarters in change on Saturday (Feb. 5) at Wegman's in Geneseo, NY.

 

[Immy]

Nice 4-day weekend means there's time for a quick Cortez visit, and what nice selection of goodies there was to be had.

$40/Nickels
Finally muscled my way past the seniors who are always occupying the nickel machines (all six machines still present, thankfully) but was rewarded with no keepers.

$100/Quarters (home-searched)
The above pics depict my first ever Maya Angelou 2022-D from the Cortez. Found two at work last week but it was good to know they're now showing up in the slots. Ol' George is eyeing a nice Brazilian 1996 10 centavos that was a coin counter find. Got a West Pointer too, a 2019 River of No Return (not pictured).

$100/Halves
I have to adjust my NIFC totals since technically the 2021's don't fit the profile. So, of the 40 possible I'm missing only 19 thanks to finding a 2004-D & 2015-P today. Passed the halfway mark!

 

[Immy]

Time for an update.

The Cortez is thankfully still a viable source for your humble CRHer. No machines have disappeared in the past few months that I can tell. Here are the highlights from today's trip.

$150/quarters (home-searched)
The last several weeks I've been taking home $100-$200 trying to complete my West Pointers (Marsh-Billings and the "Bats" still elude me) but this 2012-S Chaco Culture was the first circ quality NIFC discovery this year. Mintage checks in at 960,049.

Maya Angelou's have been scarce, and Sally Ride has yet to appear.

$100/halves
No keepers today but my NIFC list has been dwindling nicely this year. Here's the 17 left to find:

87-P, 02-P, 05-D, 06-D, 08-P, 12-P, 13-P, 14-P, 15-D, 16PD, 19PD, 20PD, 22PD

 

[srcdco]

I've been getting Sally Ride quarters at Wegman's in Geneseo, NY over the last couple weeks. I'll be in Vegas at the beginning of June. I can bring you some, and they'll be P-mints.

Scott

 

[Immy]

The Cortez coughs up the first silver of the year, and for once it's not a nickel.

$25/nickels
A few pre-1960s but nothing exciting.

$200/quarters (home-searched)
As I was cashing out I heard the telltale silver clink but didn't get my hopes up since damaged or foreign coins can sorta mimic that sound. Happy to say it was legit silver - the first of 2022 and first 1964-D quarter since 9/12/21. Along for the ride was this holey 1967 which I can't help but keep, and another West Point repeater - 2019 River of No Return. Nice batch today.

 

[Immy]

I've been getting Sally Ride quarters at Wegman's in Geneseo, NY over the last couple weeks. I'll be in Vegas at the beginning of June. I can bring you some, and they'll be P-mints.

Scott

Just want to clarify that I meant casino finds only. I've already found both new designs here in pocket change, so I'm good, thanks Scott.

 

[Immy]

A token visit to the Cortez produced these two goodies in the coin counter reject chute. I've found Mr Car Wash before but the Andamiro was new. Turns out it's South Korean, which makes sense since SK phenom BTS took over the city last month. Yes, I went to one of the concerts with a friend (she's the fan). It was a blast. Other searches from today:

$200/quarters (home-searched):
Nada. Diddly.

$100/halves
Just a holed 1977.

Thankfully the tokens made the trip worthwhile.

 

[Immy]

Wartime Nickels [513]

1942-P (11/4/19) [31]

1942-S (12/10/19) [22]

1943-P (9/6/21) [107]

1943-D (9/15/09) [9]

1943-S (5/30/22) [105]

1944-P (12/17/19) [53]

1944-D (9/24/19) [21]

1944-S (10/30/20) [22]

1945-P (6/15/21) [59]

1945-D (8/12/11) [21]

1945-S (3/23/21) [63]

Well that was a long time coming. The Cortez is back to its old ways, rewarding my nickel hunting with some Memorial Day silver.

$50/nickels (50% home-searched)
Pre-1960: 1940, 1943-S, 1946-D, 1953-D, 1955-D, 1957-D, 1959-D

Deja vu strikes as my last wartime (9/12/21) was also a 43-S.

$100/quarters (home-searched)
Whole lotta nuthin.

Did find the above 1993 Brit penny in the coin counter reject chute. Who says you can't find pennies in Vegas casinos?

 

[Immy]

Double dose of the Cortez this week!



$50/nickels
With the extra days off this weekend it was prime time for a 2nd visit and it paid off in spades. Yesterday was my first wartime silver of 2022, so today naturally produced my first buffalo of the year - 1936, my 9th overall for that date. For those who don't frequent casinos, there's a popular slot game called "Buffalo Gold" and the machine constantly shouts "Buffaloooooo!!!" during winning sessions. It's almost like they're beckoning me back to search the nickel machines. Glad to see it paid off this time.

Another nice find was this 1941-S "Large S" variety. Back when I was accumulating full rolls this one was a toughie complete, but I eventually did. Comparing it to date rolls I finished around the same time (1949-S, 1951-S) the Large S variety probably has a mintage of around 8-10 million or 18-23% of all 1941-S nickels. I still keep all I find, they're just cool. Here's a close-up to show the difference:

 

[Immy]

Quartermania from the Cortez!

$200/quarters (home-searched)
One down, one to go, yeah! Today's search batch brought out a 2020-W Marsh-Billings, one of the two West Pointers I'm missing. From now on all I'll be hunting are bats to complete the set. Would be great if I could do it before the summer ends. Not to be outshone, a nifty 1999-S Pennsylvania proof was among the spoils. Great results today!

 

[Zakon Krzyżacki]

Enjoy your 4th!
Hope to see some fantastic finds soon.