There are two different materials usually used for casino dice and it is depending on their age which one was used.
Cellulose nitrate (1920 - early 1960s)
Early casino dice were made of cellulose nitrate. Crystallization is a common problem with this material (see below). Those dice can become a sticky surface because of acidic deterioration byproducts. The best way for storage is a temperature of max. 18°C/64°F and 40% humidity (cold dry conditions slow down deterioration). Keep cellulose nitrate dice out of the light as much as possible (especially UV light). The dice should not be stored with other cellulose-based objects and kept away from metal. Caution: Cellulose nitrate burns violently! If attempting to clean cellulose nitrate dice, be reminded that it is partly soluble in water and completely soluble in acetone, ketone and many other cleaners!
Cellulose acetate (1950 - today)
Todays casino dice are made of cellulose acetate (CA) which is the successor of cellulose nitrate, which has shown many disadvantages. Cellulose acetate is much more durable, but it isn't perfect either: CA dice tend to become brittle and shrink with the years. Cold (max. 18°C/64°F), dry (max. 40% humidity) and dark (no UV exposure) are the three conditions for the best storage. Placing the dice on glass or ceramic is the best way to conserve them. Contact with other cellulose-based objects can accelerate the destruction of the dice. Do not use alcohol-based cleaners with cellulose acetate dice!
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This die is imploded or shrunken. The color of the spots has fallen off. |
Paulson recommends dry and cool storage at max. 24°C/75°F. Long-term collectors should go below this! |
Crystallization
Crystallization occurs from plastic fatigue (result of their age), moisture and ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Crystallized dice are very brittle and they can break easily if to much pressure is applied. Crystallization begins at the corners and the dice become yellowed or amber-colored with age. One way to preserve crystallized dice is to paint their surface with nail varnish.
You can see the beginning of crystallization on the corners of this die. It looks like flames.
Storing dice at a hot location or regular temperatur changes also affect the destruction of dice. The best temperature to store dice is below 18°C.
I will update this paragraph with some informations about the dice manufacturing process as soon as I have contacted a dice manufacturer for details...
Many different forms of packaging exist. Most casinos use a stick of five dice in a wrapper. Below are examples of the most common wrappers:
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the Bud Jones co. Las Vegas, NV |
Certified Perfects Midwest ?, ? |
T-K Speciality Company, Inc. Reno, NV |
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T-K Quality Dice Las Vegas, NV |
Paulson Dice & Card Las Vegas, NV |
Paul Son Gaming Supplies Las Vegas, NV |
In the 1960's a plastic or cardboard box with six dice was often used. The Bud Jones Co. use a box for 20 sticks and some casinos order their dice as a bulk lot which comes in a larger box.
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Box with 20 sticks from the Bud Jones Co. |
Box with 100 pairs from Paul Son. The label gives all informations about customer, size, color, serie, finish and security features. |
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Old cardboard box with a set of six from the B. C. Wills & Company in Reno. |
An example from Christy & Jones in Kansas City, Missouri, with six dice from 1962. Over the decades, the green foam rubber has irrevocable damaged the dice before it crumbled into dust. |
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A box with six dice from the Harrah's Reno & Lake Tahoe from the 1960s. The customers name is embossed on the cover. |
Another old stick of six in a plastic box from the Bud Jones Nevada Dice Co. The box has a tamper proof seal for security reasons. |
You can often get pairs of used dice in a vial from the pit or the casino gift shop. These packagings have nothing to do with the original packaging from the manufacturer!
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A round vial or quadrangular container for one pair is often used to sell used dice in the gift shop. |
A transparent plastic container for up to six dice is usally used to sell sticks or multiple pairs. Be careful: The foam rubber can damage the dice over the years! |
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A 1980 example how the Las Vegas Hilton sold their dice. Today most casinos sell the dice bulk and you can pick as many as you want from a bowl or large box. |
Minigrip plastic bags are common to sell used dice. The Treasure Island attached a colorful label in the early days. |
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© diceman.us (2003-2004) |
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last update: 2006-11-14 |
