This is an original HAROLDS CLUB $100 casino chip that was salvaged from the bites of dust of the Dec. 15, 1999 implosion.

It all started when HAROLD SMITH, Sr. opened a tiny gambling club in Reno in 1931 when Nevada legalized gambling and called his palace "HAROLD'S CLUB" and it became one of the most famous gambling place of its day and one of the the first modern casinos. After losing money on its first months, RAYMOND "PAPPY" SMITH, Harold's father arrived to turn things around as General Manger. Harold's brother, RAYMOND A. SMITH, joined him during the Great Depression when he could not find work in his banking profession.

Up until the 1960's, HAROLDS PLACE the largest casino operation in the world. Bigger than anything in Vegas or Europe. It is not clear when and why the apostrophe disappeared from "HAROLD'S". HAROLDS CLUB was the first of the modern themed casinos with its fully Western theme. They knew and embraced advertising promotion like no other casino.

They were also the first casino to hire women dealers.

All that remains now is the old wagon-train mural, preserved at the RENO Livestock Event Center.

Chip appears as shown. Send email for more details.

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