The Mint Hotel & Casino
The Mint Hotel & Casino opened in Downtown Las Vegas in 1957. The casino name was suggested by the wife of Milton Prell, who was the owner of the Sahara Hotel & Casino and Aladdin Hotel & Casino and part owner of The Mint Hotel & Casino. The story goes that Prell and associates where working long into the night trying to finalize a name for the new casino and she came into the room and suggested the name and rest is history.
In 1959 The Mint annexed the next door Birdcage Casino and the original sign was replaced with a sweeping facade that would go with the original architecture. The arching sign with the chasing lights quickly became a Las Vegas landmark forever uniting the two building.
In 1961 The Mint was sold to Del Webb by Prell. Under the ownership of Del Webb The Mint began hosting the Mint 400, the largest off-road race in America, which ran from the mid-1960's to the mid-1980's.
The Mint was host to two of Country Western's earliest female stars in the early 1960's. In October of 1962 Loretta Lynn, playing with The Wilburn Brothers, played at The Mint. The next month Patsy Cline performed at The Mint til late December 1962, just three month before her fatal plane crash.
In 1965 a 26 story hotel tower was added to The Mint, making it for a brief time the largest building in Las Vegas.
In 1966 actors Lee Marvin and Woody Strode took time off from shooting "The Professionals" and stayed at The Mint. One night, out of levity or too much whiskey, they took up bows and arrows and attacked the nearby Vegas Vic, outside The Pioneer Club Hotel, peppering him with arrows. Fortunately for Vic his metal skin proved impervious to the arrows and both Lee Marvin and Woody Strode had their archery privileges revoked.
In 1971 two men strolled into The Mint and would forever immortalize the hotel in literary and climatic history. Hunter S. Thompson and Oscar Acosta would spend their first night of their Las Vegas weekend that would later be immortalized in Thompson's novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
In 1988 The Mint was sold to Binion family and became part of the Binion's Horseshoe Casino.
The Mint Hotel & Casino Chips
The Mint Hotel & Casino was situated on Fremont Street it was an icon of Downtown Las Vegas.
Chips from The Mint Hotel & Casino are a great addition to any collection of Las Vegas Casino Chips.
Stick of 5 Del Webb's Mint Used Red Casino Dice
These dice from The Mint are the ideal addition to any collection of Las Vegas casino memorabilia.
This stick of dice is from the Del Webb's Mint casino. They are red regulation razor edge dice. These dice are in casino used condition. All the numbers match--but it will not be the numbers/stick seen here.
The Mint Mini-Ashtray
Casinos no longer customize their ashtrays since nothing disappears faster. But we've got lots of vintage, gently used ashtrays from Casinos around the world available for you to own. We'd like to think that the casino executives of the past encouraged the ashtray collectors as a way of spreading their marketing brand.
The Mint Casino Memorabilia
These pedestal heavy duty legs are excellent for building your own table or as a replacement. Available in Chrome or Black finish.
Chrome or Black coating 4" Iron Pedestal center tube
Oval Rectangular foot rail
24" Diameter round base
Spinettis also has a wide array of The Mint Hotel & Casino (along with other casinos) memorabilia. Pictured above is a vintage letter opener from The Mint. Our inventory is always changing so make sure to check our website regularly or visit us the next time you are in Las Vegas.
- NEW at SPINETTIS -
Metal Pedestal Poker Table Legs With Black Foot rail (Black or Chrome)
These pedestal heavy duty legs are excellent for building your own table or as a replacement. Available in Chrome or Black finish.
Chrome or Black coating 4" Iron Pedestal center tube
Oval Rectangular foot rail
24" Diameter round base
Visit our 'Build a Table' webpage for all your table construction and accessory needs.
5 comments
JONMONET
I WORKED THERE IN JANUARY 1961 AS THE BIGGEST EMPLOYEE ATTRACTION, THE INFAMOUS LOUD SHOUTING BIG SIX DEALER . I HAD CROWEDS OF PEAPLE AROUND MY GAME AND SAM BOYD HAD TO ADD ANOTHER OPPOSING BIG SIX WHEEL WITH THE TV PHILLIP MORRIS STAR MIDGET SHOUTING BACK AT EACH OTHER AND SAM BOYD EVEN PUT US IN A PRIVATE FREMONT STREET PARADE,HE (GUS) WAS DRESSED UP IN A WHITE COWBOY OUTFIT, TEN GALLON HAT, TWO SIDE GUNS, ON A WHITE PONY AND CHASED ME UP FREMONT ST INTO THE NEW THEN LUCKY STRIKE CLUB… THOSE WERE THE DAYS … WITH MANY MANY STORIES OF OLD VEGAS- “WOW” SAM NICKED NAMED ME THE DANCING DEALER BECAUSE I ALSO DANCED IN SHOWS ON THE STRIP FOR ELVIS, SHUBBY CHECKER, INK SPOTS, LIONAL HAMPTON AND THEN MY CLOSE FRIENDS WAS YOUNG WAYNE NEWTON AND HIS BROTHER JERRY, EDDIE FISHER’S BROTHER BUNNY WAS MY REAL CLOSE FRIEND AND MANY OTHERS. THE THEN RAT PACK WERE ALWAYS VISITING IN AND OUT AND AROUND THE MINT CASINO – WHAT A TIME TO BE LIVING IN OLD LAS VEGAS, I CAN STILL SEE IT ALL SO CLEARLY…. WHAT A DREAM IT WAS…..
I WORKED THERE IN JANUARY 1961 AS THE BIGGEST EMPLOYEE ATTRACTION, THE INFAMOUS LOUD SHOUTING BIG SIX DEALER . I HAD CROWEDS OF PEAPLE AROUND MY GAME AND SAM BOYD HAD TO ADD ANOTHER OPPOSING BIG SIX WHEEL WITH THE TV PHILLIP MORRIS STAR MIDGET SHOUTING BACK AT EACH OTHER AND SAM BOYD EVEN PUT US IN A PRIVATE FREMONT STREET PARADE,HE (GUS) WAS DRESSED UP IN A WHITE COWBOY OUTFIT, TEN GALLON HAT, TWO SIDE GUNS, ON A WHITE PONY AND CHASED ME UP FREMONT ST INTO THE NEW THEN LUCKY STRIKE CLUB… THOSE WERE THE DAYS … WITH MANY MANY STORIES OF OLD VEGAS- “WOW” SAM NICKED NAMED ME THE DANCING DEALER BECAUSE I ALSO DANCED IN SHOWS ON THE STRIP FOR ELVIS, SHUBBY CHECKER, INK SPOTS, LIONAL HAMPTON AND THEN MY CLOSE FRIENDS WAS YOUNG WAYNE NEWTON AND HIS BROTHER JERRY, EDDIE FISHER’S BROTHER BUNNY WAS MY REAL CLOSE FRIEND AND MANY OTHERS. THE THEN RAT PACK WERE ALWAYS VISITING IN AND OUT AND AROUND THE MINT CASINO – WHAT A TIME TO BE LIVING IN OLD LAS VEGAS, I CAN STILL SEE IT ALL SO CLEARLY…. WHAT A DREAM IT WAS…..
Dawn Kinard
I worked as Assistant/Secretary for Mr. KJ. Howe, Race Director for 2 years. Lived in Flamingo Crest and at that time, Las Vegas was the “best place to live and work”. K.J. think of you often a great mentor, thank you and Mr.Zorne for that wonderful opportunity. Still have my MINT 400 Jackets…the best always.
I worked as Assistant/Secretary for Mr. KJ. Howe, Race Director for 2 years. Lived in Flamingo Crest and at that time, Las Vegas was the “best place to live and work”. K.J. think of you often a great mentor, thank you and Mr.Zorne for that wonderful opportunity. Still have my MINT 400 Jackets…the best always.
Harry Hellman
I worked there in 1977 then went to the Flamingo later that year
I worked there in 1977 then went to the Flamingo later that year
June
Is there any of the old crew around?
Is there any of the old crew around?
June
I was a cocktail waitress there from 1970 until 1980
I was a cocktail waitress there from 1970 until 1980