Cast Iron Penny Bank, ca. 1900
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GUEST:
My mother gave it to me about ten years ago. It's been in the family for probably about 80 years or so.
APPRAISER:
Well, it dates from around 1900. Penny banks were a very popular toy in the late-19th century, and also became very popular among collectors in the 20th century. I find them very attractive because they have this wonderful sculptural quality, that the cast iron has a real dimensional quality and great paint. Of course, the kids of the 19th century found them exciting because of the action. You pull back this... But did you know that you could put a cap in here? No, I didn't know that. See, there's a little slot right here where the kid could put a cap, and so that not only would you... after you shoot the penny and get the action, you would also have a nice little explosion.
GUEST:
Oh!
APPRAISER:
So a kid got a lot of bang for his penny.
GUEST:
That's interesting.
APPRAISER:
This is a very nice bank, made by J. & E. Stevens in Cromwell, Connecticut, started in around the 1890s, but what makes this bank a little special is the fact that it has the original feathers.
GUEST:
Mm.
APPRAISER:
So many banks have a fragile point that you always look at to see if it's been repaired, and on the Indian and bear bank, you always look at these feathers. It's very fragile. It's almost always replaced.
GUEST:
Oh.
APPRAISER:
So that's the first thing I looked at, and I was really excited to see that you have a really fine example. And I would say on today's market, this bank, in this condition, with the original feathers and the quality of the paint, would be worth at least $4,000 to $5,000.
GUEST:
Oh, wow. That's wonderful.
APPRAISER:
Keep it out of direct sun.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
Don't let that paint color fade, and don't try and clean it. It's clean enough.
GUEST:
Okay.
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