What is a Silver Strike???

The question is asked of many and here is my answer and MY opinion.

1. A silver strike can be ANY medal or coin (planchet) struck where the "base" metal has a Silver content of .925 Fine Silver or HIGHER. This definition refers to ANY COIN, TOKEN OR MEDAL that has been struck from a silver planchet (ie a strike). (Also, a mother lode of Silver)

This being said, I seriously doubt that the $10 and $20 strikes that we collect are in reality "Silver Strikes" as these tokens are rightfully termed "Bi-Metallic" tokens and not solid silver tokens. Also not to be left out are the cruise ship "999 FINE SILVER HSP" inscribed tokens or my recall of 3 silver and gold plated $40 tokens from Atlantic city as the silver content is minuscule. However, these are still a part of the Anchor Gaming program of "Silver Strikes".

However, I am reminded not to leave out the $2 and $3 BRASS tokens that were done similarly to the program today as we know it. Where do
these fall?

NOW comes the question relating to the "SILVER STRIKES" via the that Anchor Gaming "SILVER STRIKE PROGRAM" that the Casino's are releasing.

Anchor Gaming has told me that they own the "COPYRIGHT" to the term "SILVER STRIKE". This being said, now we have a very narrow area relating to CASINO SILVER STRIKES.

A "SILVER STRIKE" as we Casino Silver Strike collectors here collect and refer to them should ONLY be those produced and released by the Anchor Gaming "SILVER STRIKE PROGRAM". And most notably "GAMING TOKENS" approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission which have a specified redemption value.

Now this WOULD include the chase tokens, explicitly those such as the current entry tokens for the O'Shea's tournaments and the 1 of 50 tokens as top prizes.

What would NOT be included would be tokens NOT part of the Anchor Gaming "SILVER STRIKE PROGRAM". For example the Sierra Sid's 1 Troy Pound Silver Strikes and the "BEAUTIFUL" Aladdin $100 special gaming token Andy mentioned in his message below. Nor would any other Sterling Silver and .999 Fine Silver gaming tokens released by casino's, not produced by Anchor Gaming as part of their "SILVER STRIKE PROGRAM".

Now I am back to the $2 and $3 BRASS Strikes??? What an interesting thing to bring into this discussion.

Are these SILVER STRIKES??? They are an Anchor Gaming Program! The machines and play were essentially the same as for the current Silver Strike Program!

While these are a part of Anchor Gaming and I did play for these tokens, do I consider them a "SILVER STRIKE" as relating to this topic? My personal opinion is NO. Do I think they can be part of the SILVER STRIKE OF THE YEAR nominations if they were eligible (or that program brought back) for that year. MAYBE.

However, how strange would it be to see a SOLID BRASS token as a "SILVER STRIKE OF THE YEAR"?

Currently, my opinion is that these BRASS tokens are a past history and so few were made, that this subject is actually moot.

I ask myself next what about all those tokens marked ".999 FINE SILVER HSP" are these "SILVER STRIKES"? If referring to ones issued under the same Anchor Gaming "SILVER STRIKE PROGRAM", I say YES.

Now, in my opinion, this leaves the CC&GTCC Club and our Chapter with a very strict area of "Silver Strikes" to be nominated for "Silver Strike of the Year".

Yet we can still nominate these other "BEAUTIFUL" Silver Strike tokens for the other CC&GTCC category "Token of the Year".

BACK ON MY SOAPBOX HERE.....

If anyone has ever noticed the title to my guide... it's

NEVADA SILVER PREMIUM GAMING TOKENS

I still prefer to call these tokens SPT's - (Silver Premium Tokens)

I purposely avoided the use of the term "SILVER STRIKE". When I First started collecting these tokens I found rather quickly that it wasn't what they should be called. Attending the CC&GTCC convention in 1993 and asking for "Silver Strikes" at almost every table, the dealers would bring out their stock of Sterling and .999 Fine Silver tokens, and very few even knew of the "STRIKES" produced by Anchor Gaming.

Now day's you ask for a "SILVER STRIKE" and here come the Anchor strikes. That's how our collecting of these tokens has changed the inner workings of the Casino Chips and Tokens hobby.

This is MY opinion of what a silver strike is. Relating to the current discussion of what is a "SILVER STRIKE" definition for purposes of the CC&GTCC Silver Strike of the Year nominations.