Toss your coins in the fountain — Williams’ 3 Coins is an electromechanical single-player wrapped in a charming theme of castles and playing cards, designed by the legendary Steve Kordek, one of the true titans of pinball history whose career helped shape the entire modern game. With reel scoring, art by George Molentin, and a confirmed run of 1,100, it’s a handsome woodrail-era machine from a genuine master of the craft.
The layout is a lively, bumper-rich spread: two flippers, a generous five pop bumpers, a pair of slingshots, four standup targets, and a swinging target. That swinging target is a distinctive feature, a moving mechanism that adds a bit of timing-based challenge to the playfield, while the five pop bumpers promise a bouncy, energetic ball that keeps a player on their toes with active nudging. It’s a clean, characterful design in the classic Kordek mold, built to deliver the honest, chiming pleasures that made these EM machines such enduring favorites.
3 Coins is a lovely example of Steve Kordek’s design craft, a machine that pairs an appealing storybook theme with a satisfying, well-balanced playfield. Kordek was a genuine legend, a designer whose innovations echoed across decades of pinball history, and playing one of his creations is a small brush with that towering legacy. For the collector who cherishes the golden age of EM pinball and its foundational figures, it’s a rewarding find. Ride those five bumpers, time the swinging target, and work the standups. Some machines are treasured for their maker as much as their play, and this Kordek gem is one of them. Make a wish and drop your coins.