Desert Inn Las Vegas Silver Strike 1997 Golfer GDC Mint Mark New Case

Description

Desert Inn Limited Edition Gaming Token
Golfer
Approximate Silver weight - .5733 Oz (according to William Cohenour's Comprehensive Nevada Silver Strike Reference Catalog)
Reeded Edge
Year Released: 1997
GDC
Mint Mark
= Green Duck Corporation (closed)
NEW
Capsule measures approximately 1 ⅞  inches in diameter
SSC#: DIlvnv-001
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Logo/Face:
Center: .999 Fine Silver, Desert Inn Logo, GDC mint mark
,
Las Vegas, Nevada
Rim:  Limited Edition Ten Dollar Gaming Token, Desert Inn
Reverse:
Center: Golfer
Rim: 1997 Ten Dollar Gaming Token, Desert Inn
Please look closely at the photos as they are part of the description.  There are photos with the case off and with the case on to show the true beauty and detail of the token.
The case is new and has never circulated through a silver strike machine.  The last two photos show the token with the case on.  Due to age, there may be some toning.
What is a Silver Strike?
A Silver Strike is a Limited Edition Gaming Token which is won from a special slot machine in a protective plastic holder.  People from all over the world collect, buy, sell and trade these unique gaming tokens. The first Silver Strikes were won from special slot machines in the Reno/Tahoe area of Nevada in 1992.  The tokens have been issued with redeemable values of , , , , , , , 0 and 0.  The most common denomination is .
About the Desert Inn:
The Desert Inn was the 5th resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip.  It was located at 3145 south Las Vegas Blvd on 200 acres of property and opened on April 24, 1950.  The story of the Desert Inn begins in 1947, when Wilbur Clark and his brother began building the resort with 0,000 and ran out of money.  It sat unfinished for two years.... enter Moe Dalitz (Cleveland mob).  Dalitz agreed to fund 75% of the project.  The hotel was named Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn for a short time and then just the Desert Inn - or as many referred to it the D.I. The property was know for its opulence and top-notch service.
The most famous guest at the Desert Inn was Howard Hughes.  In 1966, he arrived on Thanksgiving Day and rented the top two floors of the hotel.  After staying past his initial 10 day reservation, he was asked to leave so the resort could accommodate their high rollers expected for New Year's Eve. Instead, Hughes started negotiations and purchased the resort on March 27, 1967. He lived in the penthouse suite for four years - never leaving. In 1970, he was removed from his room on a stretcher and flown to the Bahamas.
In 1976, after the death of Hughes, the D.I. was sold to Kirk Kerkorian and it became known as the MGM Desert Inn. In 1993, Kerkorian sold it to ITT Sheraton and it became known at the Sheraton Desert Inn. The property celebrated its 50 year anniversary on April 24, 2000 with a week long celebration.  On April 27th, Steve Wynn purchased the property and closed on the deal in August 2000.
The structures were quietly imploded in 2001 and 2004.. not a lot of fan fare... and the property is now the Wynn Las Vegas.  It opened on April 28, 2005 and is home to production show Le Reve and has a variety of top notch restaurants and shops.  Plans for the golf course have changed over the last few years.
Fun Fact #1:
The Desert Inn was the first property to feature a fountain at the entrance.
Fun Fact #2
: Frank Sinatra made his Las Vegas debut at the Desert Inn in 1951 and became a regular performer.
Fun Fact #3:
The 1950's was the "atomic age".  The Desert Inn hosted "bomb parties" in the Sky Room where people could watch the above ground atomic detonations at a safe distance while drinking Atomic Cocktails. The Nevada Test site is located about 65 miles north of Las Vegas.  The Chamber of Commerce printed calendars and advertised the best times and places to watch the explosions and see the mushroom clouds.
Fun Fact #4:
The Desert Inn Golf Club, 18-hole, par 72, opened in 1952.  The course hosted the PGA Tour Tournament of Champions from 1953-1966.
Fun Fact #4:
Sinatra celebrated his 77th birthday at the resort in 1992.
Please feel free to ask any questions.
Thanks for looking.... Silver Strike Club Member #055
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