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Expert: - 2/18/2009


Question

coin counter
local historical society, we've received a donation of an antique coin-counting machine. Don't know any information about it. Label that reads, "Klopp Engineering, Inc." Hoping you could tell us when and maybe where this particular machine would have been used. Sending some pics but feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Thanks!

Answer
Elizabeth,

Nothing but good intended, I love old coin operated machines, I really enjoy the way they made them, made out of true skill, and meant to last forever, not just 60 days. It is people like you that work hard at preserving these things, and save them from going away forever. Spend countless hours finding out about them so others can read about the history, and marvel at the engineering involved, no computers around when these complicated machines were made, I always ask myself, how did they do this! If Richard M. Bueschel, who I had discussions with way into the wee hours on the phone, had not the interest as You and I, coin operated history would just not be available, it would be lost, he drove the rest of us to compile this information and he put it in many-many books. Slot machine history was gone before him, like it was erased from time, as it was all taboo. Your coin counter was most likely used for counting old slot machine money, by the looks of it, I bet this is late 30's to early 40's. Klopp might of changed there name a little, but there is very few companies making coin counters, and I am sure Klopp is one of the oldest, if not the oldest company. I have seen a few of there older models, none as old as yours, but they were always made by Klopp, and that is way I was excited when I found they were still in business after all these years. Keep at it Elizabeth, we all owe you gratitude. Your saving history for our kids to see and enjoy just how great things were made by skilled metal and wood workers, and not my some plastic press assembly machine. Made to quit and heave away in 60 to 90 days, which turns into totally un'fixable garbage, way before it should. I would really like to know about your Klopp  myself, but I think they would be more willing to help you as you are connected with a history society group.
Sincerely
Rodger Knutson

Hi Elizabeth,

You know Elizabeth, some questions I get sting me like a bee, I don't like at all to answer things I don't know a lot about because I want my ratings to be all 10's, that's all I get for doing all this, just a rating, so I earn those 10's with the work I do, hours spent looking things up for free, to just help people like you. This is not a old coin operated game, so I always risk a less then 10, rating when I do this. But, I know just a enough to hurt myself on these and I really want to help you. They, "Klopp Coin" have been in business forever, and guess what?, your right!, they still are! You can direct your question to them as they are the horse's mouth, and I bet they would love to see your very old counter, and may be able to tell you everything in great detail about it, and maybe still can even fix it or maybe have old paper on this model, hay, your a historical society, it should be there duty to set history right, you can quote me. They are at: http://www.kloppcoin.com/

Please come back again and, Thank You for writing me and always....

Cheers

Sincerely
Rodger Knutson
http://www.coinslots.com
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThanks for the direction, although I couldn't help but wonder if that was sarcasm or just friendliness...I'm not an expert, just a student working in a small local historical society. As for "Klopp," our label read Klopp Engineering, which did not lead anywhere, hence the reason why I was directed to you. Don't worry, I gave you a favorable rating


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Rodger Knutson

Expertise

I am an expert on old coin operated machines, slot machines, trade stimulator's, jukeboxes, old arcade machines, etc. I have been identifying these for people who respond to my web site listed below, for a few years now. In almost all cases I am able to tell them about their old coin operated machines, the year, the value, and other general information about their machines. I do not know much about soda vending machines, coin banks, or scales, but I will try to help you with these if I can. Please email photo's to: jackpot7@ix.netcom.com My web site is at: http://www.coinslots.com

Experience

I bought my first slot machine, a .50 Cent Mills Black Cherry in 1969 and have been hooked from that time, I still have that Slot machine! Before that I found a open barrel full of old scraped jukebox wall boxes behind a restaurant, I wanted them all but never took a one of them. Anything that took a coin drove me nuts!

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