AboutRobert Barnes Expertise Please e-mail me @ n2coinop@aol.com I am an expert on vintage coin operated machines and would love to help anyone that needs info. I can answer questions on vending machine, arcade machine, fortune teller, slot machine, digger/crane machine, gumball machine, syrup dispencer, peanut machine, gum machine, strength testor, pinball machine, gambling machine, bowling machine, etc. If it takes a coin, I can give you info on it.
A few of the many manufacturers of these machines are Columbus Vending Machine Co., R.D. Simpson, Advance Machine Co., Bluebird Products Co., Chester Pollard, Chicago Coin, Mutoscope, Evans, Seeburg, etc.
Experience I have been collecting machines for 7 years, and have close to 200 coin operated machines.
Expert: Robert Barnes Date: 6/16/2007 Subject: Vending Machine Information
Question Dear Sir, About fifty years ago, there used to be a vending machine in the bus terminal in Charlottesville, Va. that embossed letters or numbers on a soft metal disc that was meant to be attached to a keychain. After putting in a quarter, you would select letters or numbers, one at a time, using a dial in the front of the machine. Then you would pull a lever down to press the letter or number onto the outside ring of the disc. You could add letters or numbers all the way around the outside ring of the disc. When it was full, the disc and a keychain would fall down a chute at the bottom. Can you give me any information about this machine? Thanks. John
Answer Hello, those are very cool machines. They were made back in the 30's up to even now there are new versions of them. Same basic concept though. There were several different manufacturers of them. They normally sell for around $1000-$1500 depending on which version they are, and what year they were produced. I will keep an eye out, and if you would want me to e-mail you if I was to find one for sale, please let me know. Thank you n2coinop@aol.com
