Coronation

The Coronation pinball machine, manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Company in November 1952, is a charming piece of electro-mechanical pinball history with a royal connection: it was released in anticipation of the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II, which took place on June 2, 1953. Designed by Wayne Neyens with artwork by Roy Parker, the game had a confirmed production run of 1,100 units.

The machine offers gameplay typical of Gottlieb's early-1950s designs. Its two flippers give players control over the ball's trajectory, three pop bumpers create unpredictable bounces and scoring opportunities, and eight trap holes provide strategic targets for players seeking to maximize their scores.

As a topical game tied to one of the most-watched events of the early 1950s, and as a product of the celebrated Neyens-and-Parker partnership, Coronation stands as an appealing artifact from Gottlieb's postwar heyday.