AboutDavid Burritt Expertise My expertise is in the area of antique slot machines. Specifically pre 1940 era machines. I have an extensive price history list of slot machines that have been sold on eBay and other auction houses (e.g., Victoria Casino Auctions, Rich Penn Auctions, etc.).
Experience 1. I run a discussion forum on coin operated devices (http://www.coinopcollectorforum.com)
2. I maintain a web site which tracks price trends for antique slot machines (www.AntiqueSlotMachinePriceGuide.com)
3. I published an 8 hour video tape on how to properly restore a Mills slot machine back in the 1990s
4. I published a book (Coin Op On CD) which was distibuted on a CD. This CD had many articles and thousands of photos of antique coin operated devices. It also had many videos of rare and unusual coin operated devices.
This CD has since been published on the web (http://www.ibuyoldslots.com/COCD/)
5. I have written articles on how to identify fake/reproduction slot machines.
Organizations C.O.C.A. (Coin Op Collectors Association)
Education/Credentials Masters degree in Computer Science from University of Southern California
Question QUESTION: I have a red mills golden nugget 5 cent machine. Purchased about 15 years ago locally. Have had it refurbished to good working cond. Refurbisher never made mention of reprod. so i assume its original. What is the value?
ANSWER: 99% of the Golden Nuggets are either fakes or what are considered revamps.
Did you ask the refurbisher if it was an original?
Does it have formica sides or oak sides?
Dave
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QUESTION: It has oak sides and a label on the side that says it is only a genuine mills if label is attached.
Answer Sorry, but original Golden Nuggets had formica sides.
If the machine is a total reproduction it really has no value to a collector. If it is a revamp it has value for its parts. Maybe a few hundred dollars.
I have attached a photo of what an original looks like. Notice the formica sides. Also, the tray which holds the coins is the entire width of the base. I am sure yours is not.
