>>>but you have not explained to those who do not know ... what the differences are between the two 12-ounce silver medallions that makes one a gaming token and the other one not.>>>

In my opinion, the BIG difference is that that one IS approved for gaming by the Nevada Gaming Commission and given a redemption value and the other NOT. Also, approved gaming tokens will ALWAYS be acceptible by the casino for redemption until the casino officially discontinues them or the casino closes.

The MAJOR difference as I see the $200 token and the ones from Sierra Sid's is that the Sierra Sid's aren't part of the Anchor Gaming "Silver Strike Program". The Sierra Sid's were sold by the casino for MUCH more $$$ than the $200 Silver Strikes value in the Anchor program.

Most of the casino's that have the $200 Anchor Silver Strikes, the $200 token is displayed in the machine display cabinet along with the trade notice thereby giving it a relation ship to the other tokens within that program.

I don't know the reason for the casino's NOT using the $5 machines (the player used to have to play a $5 machine and wait for the payoff as I don't see any way a $200 strike would pop out of the machine ) to win the $200 Anchor Strikes from but, here is my opinion. I don't believe that many gamblers were willing to play $5 slot machines in an attempt to win one. However, if the players were willing to keep sticking quarters (or bill after bill) into the quarter machines to win the $10 strikes, the player might be more inclined to keep playing to win enough to obtain the $200 strike. I feel that this scenario is working, but some of the casino's have placed conditions of redemption for the $200 strike such as that only the current series of tokens may be traded for one. I know many collectors who were trying to buy up enough $10 strikes from a casino to trade up for the $200 strike, only to find that some weren't tradeable. I wonder what the gaming commission would say if a player complained to them after all the older strikes still haven't been discontinued and ALL are gaming tokens.

Back in 1995 this

strike was given to winners who hit a royal flush on the machines. This strike, in my opinion, would not be considered a "Silver Strike" for Silver Strike of the Year, either or for a future nomination of Silver Strike of the Decade if such a category existed. It's not a gaming token but is an additional prize given to the player and not redeemable by the winner. Same situation with the Hilton Spacequest set.

We are now seeing look alikes such as this one

recently sold on E-bay with the sellers description - - This silver strike was given to people who played in the slot tounament on October 5 & 6 2001. It was made special for that invitational tournamnet. Says Linda Seidel's 10th appreciation slot tournament with a picture of Linda on one side and the other side has a picture of the Reno Hilton and the date October 5&6, 2001.

The simplest way I see to resolving THIS YEAR'S Silver Strike of the Year situation, is, that the strike MUST be either a $7, $10, $20, $28, $40 or $200 gaming token issued under the Anchor Gaming "Silver Strike Program". We can have our Chapter debate this issue at the next convention in June for future contests.