In L.V. it seems to depend on who is in the cage. At the Aladdin, I was able to return and trade silver strikes; and one place--I forgot which, let me buy one--I think it was T.I.--I remember going to the cage and seeing the cashier with a stack of silver strikes which someone had just brought in apparnetly and I asked if I could buy one - I had chips to cash - and she shoved one to me with my othr cash. But most say "no." As usual, I have to thank Gene T. for additional information--I was not aware the S.S. cost the casinos that much. At Harrah's where I stay, I have picked up S.S. the past two years on the quarter machines paying in an average of $1.75 for 26 S.S.'s in 2 years. The Mirage last year cost me $2.5 an average for 8 S.S. But don't ask me about the Tropicanna. OK, I'll tell anyway; didn't have one-wanted one; saw a couple of sailors put in $40 or so and get nothing--knew the machine was ripe--then stuff nearly $30 more in before I finally hit--and then had to stand around to wait service when the coin didn't drop--and fend off a nasty old lady who demanded that I move if I wasn't going to play the machine.