Why were quarters years ago sometimes painted red for vending machines etc?

Question

Recently, I have read several references to "red quarters" used in juke boxes, pinball machines and cigarette machines. I remember getting them in change back in the 70's, but a search of the Internet has been fruitless. Why would they be painted any color, much less red? Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

At a bar where i worked we had so many dollars worth of quarters that we had marked in our own way not necessarily red but it was free plays that the employees could use to get people to play the jukebox or to shake dice to see who payed to play either the customer or the house.then when the jukebox guy came monthly we got those back to reuse. hope this helps