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Bally 'Touchdown' Bingo Pinball Machine

Marilyn : Mid-Century Modern

Marilyn Presents

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Bally 'Touchdown' Bingo Pinball Machine
Original Presentation Script

Step right up and take a look at this classic piece of arcade history! This is a vintage Bally 'Touchdown' bingo pinball machine, a fantastic example of mid-century coin-operated amusement. Dating back to circa 1960, this machine captures the spirit of the era with its vibrant football theme. The backglass features lively cheerleaders, a classic motif that really draws the eye. Unlike traditional flipper pinball, bingo pinball requires players to land balls in specific numbered holes to create winning lines on the backglass grid. Constructed with a sturdy wood cabinet, glass playfield cover, and complex electro-mechanical components, this Bally machine was built to last. You can see the authentic 'A Bally Product' logo right there on the playfield, confirming its pedigree. Condition is always key with these machines. This one appears to be in good, unrestored condition. It shows the typical wear you'd expect from decades of play—some scuffs on the cabinet and wear on the playfield—but the backglass graphics remain wonderfully vibrant. The original instruction cards are still present, which is a nice bonus for collectors. Given its authentic vintage status and popular theme, a Bally 'Touchdown' in this condition typically carries an auction estimate of $800 to $1,200. It's a wonderful piece of nostalgia that would be a standout addition to any game room or collection. Who's ready to play?

Used for this report's TTS and avatar presentation.

Expert Review Script

Step right up and take a look at this classic piece of arcade history! This is a vintage Bally 'Touchdown' bingo pinball machine, a fantastic example of mid-century coin-operated amusement. Manufactured in 1960, this machine captures the spirit of the era with its vibrant football theme. The backglass features lively cheerleaders, a classic motif that really draws the eye. Unlike traditional flipper pinball, bingo pinball requires players to land balls in specific numbered holes to create winning lines on the backglass grid. The 'Touchdown' model is historically notable among collectors as the first Bally bingo machine to feature the 'Magic Numbers' scoring system. Constructed with a sturdy wood cabinet, glass playfield cover, and complex electro-mechanical components, this Bally machine was built to last. You can see the authentic 'A Bally PRODUCT' logo right there on the playfield, confirming its pedigree, alongside the nostalgic '5 BALLS 10 CENTS' pricing card. Condition is always key with these machines. This one appears to be in good, unrestored cosmetic condition. It shows the typical wear you'd expect from decades of play—some scuffs on the cabinet, wear on the playfield, and a torn left instruction card—but the backglass graphics remain wonderfully vibrant. Given its authentic vintage status and popular theme, a Bally 'Touchdown' in this condition typically carries an auction estimate of $800 to $1,200, assuming the internal electro-mechanics are largely intact. It's a wonderful piece of nostalgia that would be a standout addition to any game room or collection. Who's ready to play?

Item Report

Bally 'Touchdown' Bingo Pinball Machine

Merge Reports: Yes (reconciled). Approval remains manual.

By: Bally Manufacturing Company

Style: Coin-Operated Amusements

Origin: United States

Materials: Wood, glass, metal, plastic, electrical components

Age: 1960

Condition: Good (unrestored, shows typical wear to cabinet and playfield, backglass appears intact, significant tearing to the left paper instruction card; internal working condition untested)

Value: 800 - 1200

Peer-Reviewed Market Values

Dating Range
Pending structured dating
Auction Liquidation
Pending structured market values
Fair Market Value
Pending structured market values
Replacement Value
Pending structured market values
Comparables Used
1 comparable
Research Confidence
Insufficient Data

Peer review completed, but this run did not return structured market value ranges.

Maker's Marks / Writing: 'TOUCHDOWN', 'A Bally PRODUCT', '5 BALLS 10 CENTS', 'MAGIC NUMBERS A B C D'

Date: 2026-09-19 22:26:42.180615

Description:

A vintage Bally 'Touchdown' bingo pinball machine, featuring a football theme with cheerleaders on the backglass. The flipperless playfield includes 25 numbered holes, rollover buttons, and rubber rebound rings. The cabinet is painted in bright orange and yellow with a football graphic on the side. The machine operates on a 5-ball, 10-cent play system.

Assessment:

This is a classic example of a mid-century bingo pinball machine by Bally. The 'Touchdown' model is well-known among collectors and is historically notable as Bally's first 'Magic Numbers' bingo game. The machine appears to be in good, unrestored cosmetic condition with typical wear for its age. The backglass graphics are vibrant, though there is some wear to the playfield, cabinet scuffs, and significant tearing to the left instruction card. Its value is primarily to collectors of vintage coin-op machines and pinball enthusiasts.

Individual Images:

  • whole pinball machine
  • overhead view of playfield
  • detail of backglass
  • detail of instruction card
  • detail of Bally logo and plunger

Provenance:

None provided

Condition:

Good (unrestored, shows typical wear to cabinet and playfield, backglass appears intact, significant tearing to the left paper instruction card; internal working condition untested)

Identification Score: 100%

The item is clearly identified by the 'TOUCHDOWN' title on the backglass and the 'A Bally PRODUCT' badge on the playfield. The specific 25-hole layout and 'Magic Numbers' feature confirm it is the 1960 Bally Touchdown bingo machine.

Authenticity Score: 100%

The machine exhibits all the characteristics of an authentic Bally bingo pinball machine from the era, including the specific cabinet design, playfield layout, and mechanical components. Bingo pinball machines of this complexity are not reproduced.

Image Memory Note

None     None

Keywords

Bally, Touchdown, bingo pinball, pinball machine, coin-operated, vintage arcade, football theme, United States, Magic Numbers

The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.

Peer Review Summary

Dating Range 1960
Auction Liquidation Pending structured market values
Fair Market Value Pending structured market values
Replacement Value Pending structured market values
Archived Matches 1 comparable
Research Confidence Insufficient Data

Peer Review

Key Visible Evidence

Images show a flipperless bingo pinball machine with a 25-hole playfield and a backglass titled 'TOUCHDOWN' featuring a football and cheerleader motif [Images 1, 2]. A red plastic plunger cover is marked 'A Bally PRODUCT,' and an instruction card indicates '5 BALLS 10 CENTS' [Image 4]. The cabinet is painted orange and yellow with a large football graphic on the side [Image 1].

Market and Source Support

External pinball reference databases and collector resources confirm that Bally Manufacturing produced the 'Touchdown' bingo pinball machine in 1960. It is historically noted as the first Bally bingo machine to feature 'Magic Numbers' scoring, which aligns with the A-B-C-D grid visible on the backglass.

Needs Verification

['Internal mechanical and electrical condition cannot be assessed from exterior photos; functionality of relays, steppers, and motors requires physical testing.', 'The extent of wear, potential flaking, or restoration on the reverse side of the backglass is not visible.']

Audit Conclusion

The report is well-supported by the provided images and grounded sources. The identification of the machine as a 1960 Bally 'Touchdown' bingo pinball is confirmed by both visual branding and historical reference data.

Report ID:  : 5ssyp7

Comparables (Similar Items)

Bally Wizard Pinball Machine with Tommy
Bally Wizard Pinball Machine with Tommy
liveauctioneers.com
Sold $975 + 12% BP
USA · 1970s · Wood, Metal, Plastic
A classic Bally Pinball Wizard pinball machine, known for its engaging gameplay and vibrant artwork.
View source record
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/47705014_bally-pinball-wizard-pinball-machine-minneapolis-mn