Overview
A vintage one-dollar gaming token from the short-lived Silverbird Casino, featuring the iconic stylized bird logo and 1981 date. These tokens were used as house currency during the transition era of the Las Vegas Strip.
Preliminary identification
Silverbird Hotel & Casino One Dollar Gaming Token, 1981
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Story
In 1981, this token was a ticket to the neon-soaked dreams of the Vegas Strip. The Silverbird only existed under this name for four years before being rebranded, making this a survivor of a vanished era of casino history.
Maker / Origin
The Silverbird was the 1977-1981 incarnation of the historic Thunderbird Hotel. It was owned by Major Riddle, a legendary figure in Vegas who also owned the Dunes, and it represented the last gasp of old-school independent casino branding.
Condition & Value
The token shows significant surface wear and oxidation consistent with heavy circulation in a casino environment. This 'pocket-worn' look is expected for gaming history but keeps it out of the top-tier investment grade. Condition reduces value by 20% compared to uncirculated examples.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Market Analysis
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Value Drivers
- ▲ Strong maker attribution with credible period details
- ▲ Better-than-average condition for the category
- ▲ Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact
Concerns
- ▼ Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
- ▼ Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
- ▼ Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Comparable Sales
5 compsRegional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.