This Mills is available near me what do you think?

[RobinAK]

So I think its working. I'm waiting to confirm.  Haven't see it in person. What does a machine like this sell for? I have no idea whats reasonable. I have no idea what to look for. I have no exp when it comes to a machine like this.

[Jim]

Since some of these machines have been reproduced, the price has been driven down. I have people trying to sell me their antique machines, asking big money, some sources I know will tell me what machines are going for and what price they will purchase them ,common machine types (how many were made), coin type (quarter machines are more desirable)  and condition are factors used to determine prices.   

[shortrackskater]

Golden Nugget machines are highly reproduced. Some back as far as the 70's I believe. This is a Mills High Top but those of course have been reproduced as well. I suspect this one has been repainted. I see some bumps and rough spots. 
Can you post a photo of the mechanism? That's important to see. A super shiny mechanism may indicate a reproduction rather than one that's seen 70 years of use. Does it have the key for the back door. And, inside that door should be a small door, locked with a different key. Removing that door enables access to the cash box. Having an original cash box inside adds more value to the machine as well. A close up photo of the award card would be nice. Reproduction cards were just printed on metal whereas originals have the symbols embedded in the metal. Some reproduction machines paid out for a single cherry "win" as well. My '47 Mills pays out only when two cherries are hit.
Also, it has a "jackpot." It's that glass in front with nothing behind it. When you play the machine, that "pot" fills with coins, once the coin payout tube fills.
It works like this: After winless plays, that tube fills, then all subsequent coins are pushed into the jackpot. Once that reservoir fills, the coins are then diverted to the oh-so-wonderful cash box, where the owner made his profit. But, time to time the lucky player will hit three bars. 
THIS TAKES JACKPOT is seen above the three bars on the award card.
That hit releases a holding door that drops all those coins behind the window into the tray, along with 20 more from the coin tube.
What all that said, It's important to make sure those mechanisms are all there. When the machine mechanism is removed, you will see the jackpot mechanism on the inside, or you SHOULD see it. Otherwise you will have to buy all the parts. It's no fun to have a jackpot machine without the jackpot. Takes away the fun of playing the machine! 
What's he asking for it? Generally, antique machines maintain a higher value regardless of location as opposed to newer (80's 90's 00's) machines that can vary state to state.

[63mini]

RobinAK,


 From your photos, that's a pretty nice looking Mills Hi-Top.  Did you end up with it?  It does have a reproduction back door.  Also, it appears the reels are sitting a bit to the left in the photo (They made need a slight adjustment).


 As, shortrackskater mentioned.  Be sure that it's complete.  Quite a few Hi-Top's had their jackpot assemblies removed.  If you can get photos from the seller showing the insides and the mech. that would help.

[RobinAK]

Thank you all for some great information. I feel much better having some clue of what to look for. So as of now. I have not see the machine. The seller is very slow to respond. He is asking 800 with make me an offer. He said it does work but it is jammed he knows how to un jamm it but is having a hard time locating the key to do so. So as of now no access to the insides.

[RobinAK]

How can you tell the door is a reproduction? I trust your information.. just wanting to learn.  Thanks!

RobinAK,


 From your photos, that's a pretty nice looking Mills Hi-Top.  Did you end up with it?  It does have a reproduction back door.  Also, it appears the reels are sitting a bit to the left in the photo (They made need a slight adjustment).


 As, shortrackskater mentioned.  Be sure that it's complete.  Quite a few Hi-Top's had their jackpot assemblies removed.  If you can get photos from the seller showing the insides and the mech. that would help.

[63mini]

RobinAK,


 On that machine the door should look like the one pictured below.  They were stamped and not flat.  However, there are a few reproduction ones that look very similar to these.  The asking price seems fair but, I would not jump on it unless I could see the inside and play it.  As for the jamming.  Most of these machine will suffer from grease that hardens with age and will cause binding and jamming.  It may just need disassembly, cleaning and re-lubrication.


 I have also attached a photo of one I picked up a few months ago for $450.  It was missing the escalator and is a bit of a Franken Machine.  So, as you can see the machine you are looking at is better condition.

[RobinAK]

Well... I now own the machine... I'm worried  lol. I don't think its looking good. But you guys know way more than me. So I could not see inside. Seller never found the key. Once home I drilled the lock. So here we go. First photo is on the wood base. Some sorta stamped number at the rear of the machine. The 2nd is what I saw when I got the rear door removed. Gotta be a buck in nickles inside the machine. At least I'm making money back right away  . No jackpot mech. So thats a bummer. The cash box is there. but the door for it is not.   

[RobinAK]

More pics. So I'll say what I paid after I get the bad news  .

[shortrackskater]

In 90% of the cases, jamming is caused by the escalator.
And in your machine, look at the first photo you posted. You'll see the spacing is different with the first two nickels from the left. THAT's the jam right there.
NEVER force the handle in a jam situation or you'll damage more parts. Rebuilding escalators is fairly easy. Sometimes they just cleaning since they get gummed up. Try placing that nickel where it should be in relation to the normal spacing. And look at the nickel to make sure it isn't damaged. I had a tweaked nickel that caused a jam.
From the photos, which are hard to see when zoomed in (not sure what you're using the resolution is horrible), the front casting looks reproduction to me. Plus it doesn't align with the rest of the machine as seen in the first photos you posted.
It looks like a jackpot mechanism was never there which further re-enforces that I think the front is repo. The rest of the case may be original and perhaps most or part of the mechanism.
Hopefully that wasn't an original lock on a repo back door. If so, you just drilled about $150 into metal bits. The existence of a cash box is good.
If it works, or you can make it work eventually, then all is not wasted.

[shortrackskater]

RobinAK
I've updated my response three times so read it again if you're posting now. 

[63mini]

RobinAK,


 Well, I guess congrats on your purchase.  It's a shame the seller couldn't have provided interior photos beforehand.  Now, that you have it opened up this is where the surprises start.  It appears that the mech is newer.  Maybe, from a Sega machine or re-cast.  Are there any "MLB" part numbers in the metal castings of the mech.  They would be similar to the one on the front castings.


 As shortrackskater mentioned.  You do have a jam in the escalator as seen in the third photo you posted today.  I would try clearing that jam.  If it keeps jamming up then, the escalator may need to be disassembled, cleaned and lubed.

[RobinAK]

Of the mech parts that I have found numbers on I have not seen MLB 😔. Im thinking maybe just makenit work and keepnit or sell it off and break even or part it out... last night it was getting late. Will spend some more time on it before making any decisions.

[63mini]

 Looking at some of the photos again it appears that some of the parts may be cast aluminum.  Does a magnet stick to the left side "A" frame and the operating fork on the back?  The operating fork will be the round bar that goes across the back just above the clock.


 I would say for now to keep it and play with it. At least, it will help with the inner workings of the game.  That education is worth something.


 

[RobinAK]

I think its been painted. I will mag test tonight. Im thinking ill keep it at least for now also. Learn about it. Hopefully get it working. Go from there.

[shortrackskater]

Looking at some of the photos again it appears that some of the parts may be cast aluminum. 

Ed - I also forgot to mention, those "R MLB" numbers concern me. I'm far from expert on these, but I've never seen that number on my Mills slots. Could the R mean reproduction?

Robin - Sooooooooooooo what did you pay for this machine??? We're dying to know! 

[RobinAK]

Yeah I was thinking the same with the "R". The tray the reels sit on in the cabinet also has a MLB number on it but with no R. I got the reels to spin last night. Not 100% function reel mech by any means but they did spin.  The A frame and the Bar are not magnetic. Sorry I thought I posted what I paid in one of my replies. I paid 400.00  . I think I am going to go through it and get it functional. Probably keep it just because its my only pure mechanical. Or until I find something to replace it then see if I can recoup some cash. I gave the seller a polite update. Hes feels really bad. Monday I'm meeting him to pick up my new unused kegerator set up from him for free  . That will go up for sale when I get it home.Should get a few hundred from it.  So not really to bad of a deal in the end. Oh and yesterday I scored a S200 haywire and a S+ Go Bananas for 200. So I'm already getting back on the up side from my mills investment 

[shortrackskater]

Before you overbuy stuff... get that escalator unjammed. There should be three (or 4) screws holding it on, I think. It will come straight out. Place it down and shoot photos of it before you take anything apart. It probably just needs cleaning.
And for more extensive reading... head over to
https://coinopcollectorforum.com
Create an account and just browse through. I'm there under the same username. Member "Monti" is great with parts and information and owns a nice shop up in a part of California I've never heard of... way north of me!!
If the site asks you for a code, and you don't get it, let me know and I'll PM it to you.

[RobinAK]

Overbuy slots? Is that possible?  . Thanks for the link. I know of Monti. Got a couple parts from him for my EM. The Mills will probly turn in to a later on project. Im in Alaska.. snows finally melting. Its summer time and the slots will be on the back burner for the most part. Cant pass up on IGT's. Slots in general are not too common around here.