Sour Grapes and Golden Nuggets: The History of Vegas Casino Token Coasters As a collector of all things vintage Vegas, I've always been fascinated by the quirky souvenirs that capture the essence of the city's rich history. One such treasure is the casino token coaster, a nostalgic keepsake that not only preserves the branding of defunct casinos but also tells a story of innovation and regulatory creativity. In the 1960s and 1970s, Las Vegas casinos issued metal tokens as an alternative to coins, often featuring their unique branding and designs. When these tokens were eventually decommissioned, some clever entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to repurpose them into something new. Bonanza Gift Shop, a legendary Vegas institution, began selling coaster sets made from these real-metal casino tokens embedded in clear acrylic. The story behind these coasters is as intriguing as it is complex. In the United States, defacing or altering currency is strictly prohibited under federal law. However, casino tokens, being a form of private currency, existed in a gray area. Bonanza found a way to bypass these regulations by working with token manufacturers to create coasters that were not considered altered tokens, but rather new items featuring the tokens as a component. The result was a heavy-duty coaster set that not only protected surfaces from water marks and spills but also served as a tangible connection to the city's gaming past. The coasters featured tokens from iconic casinos like the Mint and the Showboat, now long gone but still remembered through these nostalgic trinkets. For collectors, these coaster sets are a treasure trove of Vegas history. Each token embedded in the acrylic tells a story of a bygone era, when casinos like the Sands and the Riviera ruled the Strip. The coasters are a testament to the city's ever-changing landscape and the ingenuity of those who sought to preserve its heritage. Today, vintage casino token coasters are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. They can be found in various forms, from individual coasters to complete sets, each one a unique window into the past. As a curator of Vegas memorabilia, I'm delighted to share this piece of history with fellow collectors and enthusiasts, and to celebrate the creativity that turned discarded tokens into cherished keepsakes.