The U.S. long ago delegated the sovereignty over its constitutional monopoly to create coinage. It did this, of course, to further a public good: gambling saloons. Casinos have the right to coin and use specie within their walls, and have executed hundreds of designs, dull and fascinating in turn. None are more brilliant or beautiful than the Silver Strike series which began in 1990.

All of the Strikes are struck as proofs. Since their inception, Silver Strike machines have issued coins in many denominations, including $5, $7, $10, $20, $28, $40 and $200. The $200 monster masses a full troy pound - roughly 372 grams - and is paid by attendant. This $40 example from Caesar's Palace (Tahoe) illustrates the current trend. It is approximately 1.5 ounces of pure (.999) silver decorated with Heavy Gold Electroplate (HGE) trim.

Many thanks to www.silverstrikers.com for details.