Morphy’s Nov. 3-5 auction rings with sounds of rare antique coin-op machines

Circa-1904 Caille Bros. 5-cent Roulette floor-model slot machine with seven coin-slots. Fresh to the market after being purchased from The Las Vegas Club in the 1970s. Finest original Caille Roulette machine that Morphy’s specialists have ever seen. Estimate $200,000-$300,000. Courtesy of Morphy Auctions
Circa-1904 Caille Bros. 5-cent Roulette floor-model slot machine with seven coin-slots. Fresh to the market after being purchased from The Las Vegas Club in the 1970s. Finest original Caille Roulette machine that Morphy’s specialists have ever seen. Estimate $200,000-$300,000. Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

DENVER, Pa. – Once found at saloons, hotel lobbies and oceanfront boardwalks all across America, antique coin-op machines are quaint reminders of an era when radio, television and video games were still mysteries of the future. For mere pocket change, turn-of-the-century fun-seekers could enjoy an entire afternoon of entertainment. By simply dropping a penny, nickel or quarter into the slot of a coin-operated machine, they could have their fortunes told, watch primitive motion pictures, listen to rhapsodic tunes from a mechanical band, or try their luck at any number of gambling devices or games of chance.

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