Antique Slot Machine Reel Strips and Award Cards: Original vs Reproduction
Reel strips and award cards are small, cheap-looking parts that carry a lot of weight. The reel strips are the printed bands of symbols around each reel. The award card, sometimes called a payout card, tells the player what each combination pays. Together they're the face of the machine, and they're also among the most commonly replaced parts on antique slots.
Reproductions are widely available and are perfectly fine for a player machine. The question for buyers is whether what's on the machine matches what the seller says, and whether the strips and card actually match the mechanism. This guide covers both.
What reel strips and award cards do
On a mechanical reel slot, each reel carries a strip with a sequence of symbols. The mechanism stops each reel at a position, and certain combinations across the reels trigger a payout. The award card displays those combinations. On many machines, the payout mechanism is set up for a particular arrangement of symbols, so the strips, the card and the mechanism are meant to go together.
That relationship is why strips and cards matter for originality. If the strips came from a different model or series, the card may not describe what the machine actually does. That's a functional problem as well as an originality one.
Original vs reproduction: the clues
| Clue | Often suggests original | Often suggests reproduction |
|---|---|---|
| Paper tone | Even age-toning, sometimes darker where exposed | Bright white or artificially “aged” color that looks uniform |
| Printing | Period printing; color sits in the paper; sharp halftone under a loupe | Inkjet or laser texture; pixelation or fuzzy edges under a loupe |
| Wear | Wear that matches where the reel and window rub | No wear at all, or wear that doesn't match the machine |
| Edges and fit | Soft edges; fit consistent with the reel | Very crisp edges; slight overlap or gap where the strip joins |
| Adhesive | Old glue, often hardened | Modern adhesive or double-sided tape |
None of these is conclusive on its own. Some reproductions are very good, and some originals have been handled so much they look odd. Look for a pattern of clues, and compare with photos of documented examples in reference books.
A good loupe is the most useful tool here. Browse jeweler's loupes on Amazon if you don't own one.
Checking that strips, card and mechanism match
- Read the award card. Note the combinations and the order the reels are read in.
- Look at each reel. Turn the reels slowly by hand, if the mechanism allows, or play the machine and watch. Check that the symbols on the card actually appear on the strips.
- Compare with references. Reference books and collector resources often show the correct strip and card style for a model or series. Look for the same symbol set and layout.
- Check consistency. All three strips should look like they came from the same set: same paper, same printing, same age.
- Test the payout. If the machine pays on a combination the card doesn't list, or fails to pay on one it does, something's mismatched or out of adjustment.
A mismatch doesn't always mean a seller is hiding something. Machines were sometimes changed by operators, and later owners swapped parts for many reasons. It does mean you should ask questions and adjust your expectations about originality.
Replacing reel strips and award cards
If your strips are missing, damaged beyond use, or wrong for the machine, reproductions are the practical answer. A few tips:
- Buy strips and card as a matched set for your maker, model and mechanism.
- Confirm the strip length and width fit your reels before you buy.
- Remove originals carefully. If they're glued, don't tear them off; consult a restorer about safe removal, or leave them and keep the machine as-is.
- Use a reversible adhesive approach where possible so strips can be replaced again without damaging the reel.
- Bag, label and store any originals you remove with the machine's records.
- Note the replacement in your documentation and disclose it when you sell.
Shop antique slot machine reel strips on eBay and slot machine award cards on eBay. Read listings to see whether they're reproductions or originals and which machines they fit.
Caring for original strips and cards
Original paper strips are fragile and irreplaceable. Treat them like any old paper:
- Keep them out of direct sun. UV fades color quickly.
- Avoid humidity swings, which cause paper to warp and lift.
- Don't clean, retouch, tape, or laminate them.
- Handle by the edges with clean, dry hands.
- If stored off the machine, keep them flat in acid-free folders. Acid-free archival folders on Amazon work well.
An original award card in good condition is collected in its own right. If you have spare originals, store them carefully even if they're not for your current machine.
What this means when you buy
When you evaluate a machine, look at the strips and card as part of the originality picture, alongside the castings, case and mechanism. Ask the seller directly whether they're original, and get the answer in writing. When you research value with completed sales, compare like with like: a machine with original strips and card in good condition isn't the same as one with reproductions. Check sold listings that mention original reel strips to see how sellers describe them.
Our guide to researching old arcade machine sold prices explains how to read sales data, and our post on documenting a machine before restoration covers photographing strips and cards before anything changes.
Photographing strips and cards for research
Good photos make it easier to compare your strips with references and to ask other collectors for opinions. A few practical tips:
- Photograph the award card straight on, in diffuse light, without flash glare.
- Photograph each reel strip through the window, then with the back open if you can see more of the strip.
- Take close-ups of the printing with a loupe held to the camera lens, or a macro setting, so others can judge the print method.
- Include a ruler in one shot for scale.
- Note the reel order (left, center, right) on each photo.
When you post photos to a collector forum for an opinion, say what you already know and what you're unsure of. You'll get better answers.
A note on the reels themselves
The reel strips sit on reels that also need to be in good shape. Bent reels, loose strips, and reels that rub the window or each other cause uneven stops and wear on the strips. If your strips show fresh rub marks, look at the reel alignment before you replace the strips, or the new ones will wear the same way. Reel adjustment is a job for your service literature or a restorer.
Frequently asked questions
Are reproduction reel strips acceptable?
Yes, for a player machine. They're widely used. They should be disclosed when you sell, and originals you remove should be kept with the machine.
How can I tell if reel strips are original?
Look at paper tone, printing method under a loupe, wear patterns, edges and adhesive, and compare with documented examples in reference books. No single clue is conclusive.
Do reel strips need to match the award card?
Yes. The symbols on the strips should match the combinations on the card, and both should suit the machine's payout setup. A mismatch suggests mixed parts or changes.
Can I clean faded original reel strips?
It's best not to. Cleaning or retouching original paper usually does more harm than good. Keep it out of light and humidity, and consult a paper conservator for anything valuable.
Match, document, disclose
Reel strips and award cards are small parts with big implications for originality and function. Check that they match each other and the mechanism, look for the signs of age or reproduction under a loupe, and treat any originals gently. If you replace them, buy matched sets, keep the originals, and disclose the change.
Explore more originality and restoration topics on the CoinSlots.co blog.