The Platinum Collection

[CCA.SM.Director]

The Platinum Collection 33
By Howard Herz and Allan Anderson
$500 The Sands (1960’s)
In an attempt to cater to the customers who preferred the elegance of Monte Carlo, several Las Vegas casi- nos tried Baccarat in the 1960’s. Using French style “plaques”, the casinos ran the game in the subdued atmosphere that would be found in French casinos. The games failed to attract sufficient players and the casinos discarded the French style plaques and jetons. This great example from the Sands has two “lunettes” and a serial number.

 

[CCA.SM.Director]

The Platinum Collection 34
By Howard Herz and Allan Anderson
$500 Circus-Circus Reno, Nevada (197
After a sucessful casino venture in Las Vegas, the owners of Circus - Circus bought a department store in Reno and converted it into a casino. Nevada’s gaming control board certified that only two examples were not accounted for when they destroyed these high value gaming checks.

 

[CCA.SM.Director]

The Platinum Collection 34
By Howard Herz and Allan Anderson

$5 Frontier Reno
Reno, Nevada (1946-1956)

In the heart of downtown Reno, this casino featured the highest keno limit of $10,000 in 1953. Only when Binion’s in Las Vegas went to $25,000 was the limit outdone. This club was absorbed into Harrah’s in 1956.

 

[CCA.SM.Director]

The Platinum Collection 36
By Howard Herz and Allan Anderson

$5 Thunderbird Hotel (1949-1964)
The colorful thunderbird is taken directly from the large sign that stood at the edge of Las Vegas Blvd. The logo is one of the more colorful in Las Vegas.

 

[CCA.SM.Director]

The Platinum Collection 37
By Howard Herz and Allan Anderson

$25 Golden Bank
Reno, Nevada (1955-1962)

When the Tomerlin brothers bought the Golden Hotel they had no gaming experience. In 1955 William and James Tomerlin combined the Bank Club and the Golden Hotel casino by cutting a doorway in the wall between the two operation to create the Golden Bank. The casino operated until destroyed by a fire in 1962.

 

[CCA.SM.Director]

The Platinum Collection 38
By Howard Herz and Allan Anderson

$100 Bank Club Reno
Reno, Nevada - (Circa 1940’s)

Reno’s most famous club of the 1930’s and 1940’s operated by Bill Graham and James McKay. Originally opened in the basement of the building prior to the legalization of gaming in 1931, the Bank Club moved up to the street level in April of 1931 with a “Grand Opening” that celebrated the legalization of gaming and its acceptance by Reno’s citizens.

 

[CCA.SM.Director]

The Platinum Collection 39
$100 RR (Reno Ramada) Reno, Nevada (1980-1989)
A small casino operation to the northeast of the downtown center. The casino survived for 9 years but could not compete against the solid downtown clubs. Their brass core checks were an innovation in gaming checks. Dealers favored the weight but sometimes complained that the edges were too sharp.

 

[CCA.SM.Director]

The Platinum Collection 40
By Howard Herz and Allan Anderson

(no value) Nevada Club Reno, Nevada (1946-1988)
These chips were made for the exclusive use of Reno millionaire Lavere Redfield by the club owner Lincoln Fitzgerald. Their value could be determined at the time of play. Redfield and Fitzgerald had been friends from the days of the depression in Detroit where both men started their fortunes.