Money boxes, money safes, and mechanical banks have a long history, dating back to ancient times. Here is a brief overview of their evolution. The concept of money boxes can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where they were used to store coins and other small valuables. In the Middle Ages, money boxes became more common, often taking the form of ceramic or wooden vessels with a slot or hole for inserting coins. In the 18th and 19th centuries, metal money boxes became popular, often shaped like animals or other whimsical objects.

Mechanical banks, which are designed to accept coins and then perform some sort of action, were first introduced in the 19th century. Some of the earliest examples were simple boxes with a lever that would trigger a mechanism to move a figure or object. As technology advanced, mechanical banks became more elaborate, featuring intricate designs and more...

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A collection of ornaments & souvenirs, including owls, snail,…

Whimsical Trinkets: Owls, Snails, Money Boxes & More

A collection of ornaments & souvenirs, including owls, snail, money boxes etc

3 Acme toy Tickety Tock money boxes, made in England

Vintage Tickety Tock Money Boxes from England

3 Acme toy Tickety Tock money boxes, made in England

1970s Die-cast double money Bank in the form of a steam-train…

Steam Train Double Money Bank by Banthrico

1970s Die-cast double money Bank in the form of a steam-train and tender manufactured by Banthrico for the First National Bank.

Large Ellgreave English ceramic Mr Pig money box height 27 cm

Ellgreave Ceramic Mr. Pig Money Box - 27cm Tall

Large Ellgreave English ceramic Mr Pig money box height 27 cm

A ceramic painted Mexican moneybox, in the form of a skull

Mexican Skull Moneybox

A ceramic painted Mexican moneybox, in the form of a skull

Royal Doulton Brambly Hedge money box

Brambly Hedge Royal Doulton Money Box

Royal Doulton Brambly Hedge money box

Two various British money boxes. Victorian elm two compartment;…

British Money Boxes: Victorian Elm and National Provincial Bank

Two various British money boxes. Victorian elm two compartment; and National provincial bank, made by Taylor Law Birmingham (with key). Length 14 cm. (wooden box)

Brasmic shaving stick, Saving Tin money box, 12 cm high

Brasmic Shaving Stick & Tin Money Box Set

Brasmic shaving stick, Saving Tin money box, 12 cm high

Five various bulldog ceramic money boxes largest measures 37 cm…

Set of 5 Bulldog Ceramic Money Boxes - 37cm Largest

Five various bulldog ceramic money boxes largest measures 37 cm high, (5)

A late 19th century cast iron State Bank money box, unassembled

Late 19th Century State Bank Money Box Kit

A late 19th century cast iron State Bank money box, unassembled

May 1937 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Coronation souvenir…

Coronation Tin Money Box with Oxo Cubes

May 1937 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Coronation souvenir tin plate money box, originally containing 6 Oxo Cubes. Well-loved and used, pretty good condition for its age very collectable item. Provenance: Howick antique and Collectors . 6.5 x 3.5 x 7…

Early jolly black man cast iron money box marked to reverse,…

Antique Cast Iron Jolly Black Man Money Box

Early jolly black man cast iron money box marked to reverse, base missing, height 18 cm.

Cast iron novelty money box as inspected, 22 cm wide, 15.5 cm…

Cast Iron Money Box: Novelty Design

Cast iron novelty money box as inspected, 22 cm wide, 15.5 cm high

Villeroy and Boch ceramic pig form money box length 16 cm

Villeroy & Boch Piggy Bank - 16cm Length

Villeroy and Boch ceramic pig form money box length 16 cm

Two various money Banks. Iron bank, post box shape: & Marigold…

Iron Bank and Marigold Pig: Unique Money Banks

Two various money Banks. Iron bank, post box shape: & Marigold lustre glass pig.

Cast iron 'Artillery Bank' money box in the form of an…

Artilleryman Money Box Firing Mortar at Building

Cast iron 'Artillery Bank' money box in the form of an artilleryman firing a mortar at building, possibly a reproduction.

Cast iron Jonah and the whale money box

Jonah Whale Cast Iron Money Box

Cast iron Jonah and the whale money box

An antique maple wood money box with key

Maple Money Box with Key

An antique maple wood money box with key

Antique brass money box, approx 21 cm high, 23 cm long

Antique Brass Money Box - 21x23 cm

Antique brass money box, approx 21 cm high, 23 cm long

Equitable Building Chicago money box

Chicago's Equitable Building Money Box

Equitable Building Chicago money box

Cast iron Afro-American money box (damaged)

Damaged cast iron Afro-American money box

Cast iron Afro-American money box (damaged)

Tin toys, two, corn pecking chickens & post office coin bank,…

China & India Tin Toys: Chickens & Coin Bank

Tin toys, two, corn pecking chickens & post office coin bank, made in China & India

Cast iron novelty 'Dentist' money box depicting seated patient…

Dentist Money Box with Tooth Extraction

Cast iron novelty 'Dentist' money box depicting seated patient with dentist pulling a tooth, length 22 cm approx.

Royal Doulton Brambly Hedge money box, boxed

Brambly Hedge Money Box in Box

Royal Doulton Brambly Hedge money box, boxed

Vintage 'Jolly' Black Man cast metal money box with painted…

Vintage Black Man Cast Metal Money Box with Blue Jacket

Vintage 'Jolly' Black Man cast metal money box with painted blue jacket, marked verso, height 17 cm

Coin bank, circa 1960s satellite mechanical bank, Duro Mold and…

Coin bank, circa 1960s satellite mechanical bank, Duro Mold and Manufacturing Inc., height: 26 cm

Cast iron 'Bull Dog Bank' money box marked to base: 'Reproduced…

Book of Knowledge Bulldog Money Box

Cast iron 'Bull Dog Bank' money box marked to base: 'Reproduced from Original in Collection of the Book of Knowledge,' seated bull dog figure, on stepped base, tail operated mechanism appears to be operational, height 19 cm.

Two various vintage cast iron money boxes including: Elizabeth…

Vintage Cast Iron Money Boxes: Crown & Bear Forms

Two various vintage cast iron money boxes including: Elizabeth II crown form, height 10 cm and standing bear form, height 16 cm

Cast iron Afro-American mechanical money box, 16 cm high

Mechanical Money Box: Cast Iron Afro-American Figure

Cast iron Afro-American mechanical money box, 16 cm high

Vintage cast iron 'bank' money box, height 15.5 cm approx

Vintage Cast Iron Money Box Bank

Vintage cast iron 'bank' money box, height 15.5 cm approx

A Snoopy ceramic money box 'Sailor Snoopy' . 1966. 11 cm x 114…

Sailor Snoopy Ceramic Money Box

A Snoopy ceramic money box 'Sailor Snoopy' . 1966. 11 cm x 114 cm

Vintage Afro-American  mechanical money box

Mechanical Money Box for Vintage Afro-Americans

Vintage Afro-American mechanical money box

Royal Doulton Brambly Hedge Money box

Brambly Hedge Royal Doulton Money Box

Royal Doulton Brambly Hedge Money box

Vintage cast iron bull dog money box 9.5 cm high approx

Vintage Cast Iron Bulldog Money Box

Vintage cast iron bull dog money box 9.5 cm high approx

Cast iron money box in the form of a bank, approx 9 cm high

Cast Iron Bank Money Box - 9cm High

Cast iron money box in the form of a bank, approx 9 cm high

An antique American double-sided cast metal moneybox with…

Antique American Double-Sided Cast Metal Moneybox with African-American Faces

An antique American double-sided cast metal moneybox with African-American faces, 19th/20th century, 8 cm high

A brass Napoleon bell, Vietnamese rock ornament, and a ceramic…

Eclectic Collection of Decorative Objects

A brass Napoleon bell, Vietnamese rock ornament, and a ceramic handbag moneybox, (3 items), the bell 15 cm high

An Australian Homesafe money box, early Bank Giveaway (Banks…

Early Australian Homesafe Money Box with Bank Giveaway (1920)

An Australian Homesafe money box, early Bank Giveaway (Banks retained the key, thus ), with content. Circa 1920. Length 11 cm.

New Zealand made cast iron Afro-American money box

Kiwi-made African American money box

New Zealand made cast iron Afro-American money box

Novelty brass Royal Mail post box money box, 16 cm high

Brass Royal Mail Money Box

Novelty brass Royal Mail post box money box, 16 cm high

Set of five Wade porcelain pig money boxes, for Natwest, a/f (5)

Wade Natwest Pig Money Boxes Set (a/f)

Set of five Wade porcelain pig money boxes, for Natwest, a/f (5)

A vintage Italian pottery blue glazed owl money bank, approx 18…

Vintage Italian Blue Glazed Owl Money Bank

A vintage Italian pottery blue glazed owl money bank, approx 18 cm high

Cast American 'County Bank' money box, approx 10 cm x 16 cm

Vintage County Bank Money Box

Cast American 'County Bank' money box, approx 10 cm x 16 cm

Vintage Commonwealth bank money boxes (3), tin money boxes, two…

Vintage Commonwealth Bank Money Boxes Set of 3

Vintage Commonwealth bank money boxes (3), tin money boxes, two with 'This money box is a replica of the Commonwealth bank Heritage building, 48 Martin place Sydney' printed on top, each with circular detachable plug in base [3], 9 x 8 x 6 cm

West German owl form ceramic money box height 15 cm

West German Ceramic Owl Money Box - 15 cm Height

West German owl form ceramic money box height 15 cm

Tellus Vacuum Cleaner money box, aluminium. Comes with key.…

Aluminium Money Box with Key - 11.5 cm Height

Tellus Vacuum Cleaner money box, aluminium. Comes with key. Height 11.5 cm

Cast iron 'Teddy and the Bear' money box, 23 cm long

"Teddy and Bear" Cast Iron Money Box - 23cm

Cast iron 'Teddy and the Bear' money box, 23 cm long

Coin bank, circa 1958 mechanical die cast guided missile bank…

Coin bank, circa 1958 mechanical die cast guided missile bank with box, height: 29 cm

Double face 'Black Man' cast iron money box face of figure to…

"Black Man" Double-Faced Cast Iron Money Box

Double face 'Black Man' cast iron money box face of figure to both back and front, height 10 cm

'Jolly black Man' cast iron money box height 14 cm

Cast Iron Money Box - Jolly Black Man

'Jolly black Man' cast iron money box height 14 cm

Vintage Afro-American cast metal novelty moneybox (height 17 cm…

Vintage Afro-American Cast Metal Moneybox

Vintage Afro-American cast metal novelty moneybox (height 17 cm approx).

A vintage Donald duck money box, metal, with combination lock.…

Vintage Mexican Donald Duck Metal Money Box with Lock

A vintage Donald duck money box, metal, with combination lock. Mexican, circa 1950. (a/f)

An Italian 'Italica' Ars ceramic 'Owl' money Bank, height 17 cm

Italica Owl Money Bank - 17cm Height

An Italian 'Italica' Ars ceramic 'Owl' money Bank, height 17 cm

Three antique French pussy money boxes (3)

Antique French Pussy Money Boxes Set of Three

Three antique French pussy money boxes (3)

Cast iron 'Speaking Dog' mechanical moneybox, 18 cm high approx

Mechanical Speaking Dog Moneybox

Cast iron 'Speaking Dog' mechanical moneybox, 18 cm high approx

Cast iron 'Teddy and the Bear' money box, 23 cm wide

"Teddy and Bear" Cast Iron Money Box (23cm)

Cast iron 'Teddy and the Bear' money box, 23 cm wide

Two vintage money boxes 4.5 cm & 11 cm high

Vintage Money Boxes - 2 Sizes

Two vintage money boxes 4.5 cm & 11 cm high

Vintage cast iron Skull form money box operates well, with…

Vintage Cast Iron Skull Money Box with Moving Arm

Vintage cast iron Skull form money box operates well, with moving arm, and protruding eyes, height 18 cm

Metal black man form money box, height 16 cm

Metal Black Man Money Box - 16cm Height

Metal black man form money box, height 16 cm

Cast iron Afro-American novelty moneybox 17 cm high approx,…

Vintage Cast Iron Black Americana Moneybox

Cast iron Afro-American novelty moneybox 17 cm high approx, bottom cover missing

Antique tower form carved wood money box with removable top.…

Carved Wooden Money Box with Removable Top

Antique tower form carved wood money box with removable top. Height 11 cm

Cast iron bear moneybox 15 cm high

Cast Iron Bear Moneybox - 15cm

Cast iron bear moneybox 15 cm high

Circa 1950s red earthenware money box. Spherical, with incised…

Aussie Towns Money Box

Circa 1950s red earthenware money box. Spherical, with incised names of towns and cities of Australia. Diameter 17 cm

A cast iron St Bernard money box, 1909. Provenance: The Badgery…

1909 St Bernard Cast Iron Money Box

A cast iron St Bernard money box, 1909. Provenance: The Badgery family, height 14 cm

Two early 1900s New Zealand Post money boxes, one in the form…

Vintage NZ Post Money Boxes, Suitcase & Rounded Ends

Two early 1900s New Zealand Post money boxes, one in the form of a suitcase, the other with rounded ends, no keys.

Pr cast iron bank Buildings one height 15 cm one 10 cm

Assorted Cast Iron Bank Buildings - 2 Sizes Available

Pr cast iron bank Buildings one height 15 cm one 10 cm

2 old money boxes; 1 tin Commonwealth Saving bank 8 cm x 5.5 cm…

Vintage Money Boxes and Coronation Throne

2 old money boxes; 1 tin Commonwealth Saving bank 8 cm x 5.5 cm x 9 cm some rust and cast iron 1953 Coronation throne

A vintage 'Uncle Sam's Cash Store Register, tin plate money…

Vintage Uncle Sam Cash Register Money Bank

A vintage 'Uncle Sam's Cash Store Register, tin plate money bank, black painted finish with lithographic highlights.

Cast iron money box, Save Your Money & Freeze It

Freeze Your Cash: Cast Iron Money Box

Cast iron money box, Save Your Money & Freeze It

Cast iron Afro-American novelty money box painted black and red…

Black and Red Cast Iron Money Box with Movable Arm

Cast iron Afro-American novelty money box painted black and red decoration, with movable arm, marked verso, height 17 cm

New Zealand post office Savings bank metal money box, chrome…

NZ Post Office Savings Bank Metal Money Box

New Zealand post office Savings bank metal money box, chrome plated, some rust on the top, coin and bank note slots. 'Fiscus' Richardson McCree & Co. Ltd. Wellington Sole Agents for NZ. Number 49315. 10 x 5 x 6 cm high

Paul Rayner Jesus Saves money box, glazed ceramic, 2010

Paul Rayner Jesus Saves money box, glazed ceramic, 2010

Cast iron Afro-American mechanical money box, 16 cm high

Mechanical Money Box: Cast Iron Afro-American Figure

Cast iron Afro-American mechanical money box, 16 cm high

Vintage Afro-American mechanical money box, 13.5 cm high approx

Vintage Afro-American Mechanical Money Box

Vintage Afro-American mechanical money box, 13.5 cm high approx

Cast iron money box, in the form of a red mail box, 16.5 cm…

Red Mailbox Cast Iron Money Box

Cast iron money box, in the form of a red mail box, 16.5 cm high approx.

Cast iron Afro-American mechanical money box, 15 cm high

Mechanical Afro-American Money Box

Cast iron Afro-American mechanical money box, 15 cm high

Cast iron money box bear stealing honey/money approx 18 cm high

Honey Thief Bear Money Box

Cast iron money box bear stealing honey/money approx 18 cm high

Coin bank, circa 1959 mechanical die cast guided missile bank,…

Coin bank, circa 1959 mechanical die cast guided missile bank, height: 29 cm

Antique cast iron bear money box 15.5 cm high

Vintage 15.5 cm Cast Iron Bear Money Box

Antique cast iron bear money box 15.5 cm high

Early cast iron pig form money box height 14 cm.

Antique Cast Iron Piggy Bank

Early cast iron pig form money box height 14 cm.

Two cast iron money box banks including Man in a Castle, and…

Rusted Cast Iron Money Box Banks (2)

Two cast iron money box banks including Man in a Castle, and Man with a Pipe, rusted, height 22 cm approx, taller bank.

Reproduction 'Bull Dog Bank' iron money box marked to base:…

Reproduction Bulldog Bank Money Box

Reproduction 'Bull Dog Bank' iron money box marked to base: 'Reproduced from original in possession of The Book of Knowledge,' (height 19 cm

A Ned Kelly cast iron money box. Height 14.5 cm.

Ned Kelly Money Box

A Ned Kelly cast iron money box. Height 14.5 cm.

An Anglo-Indian metal horse form money box, height 19 cm

Anglo-Indian Metal Horse Money Box, 19 cm Height

An Anglo-Indian metal horse form money box, height 19 cm

Two American style painted cast iron money boxes, mid 20th…

American Cast Iron Money Boxes from Mid 20th Century

Two American style painted cast iron money boxes, mid 20th century, stamped 'Taiwan, the larger 18 cm high

Vintage painted cast iron bulldog money bank measures 16 cm…

Vintage Cast Iron Bulldog Money Bank - 16cm Tall

Vintage painted cast iron bulldog money bank measures 16 cm high, approx

Staffordshire pottery Spaniel money box, bust of a…

Staffordshire Spaniel Money Box

Staffordshire pottery Spaniel money box, bust of a Staffordshire Spaniel, black and white decoration with gilt collar, containing money, height 11 cm

Cast iron American novelty money box in the shape of a U.S.…

US Mailbox Novelty Money Box

Cast iron American novelty money box in the shape of a U.S. Mail post box, 6.5 x 6.5 x 13.5 cm high

A leather hei tiki money box, height 17 cm, width 11 cm,…

Leather Hei Tiki Money Box - 17 cm Height

A leather hei tiki money box, height 17 cm, width 11 cm, diameter 4 cm

NZ post office Savings bank, chrome and brass money box, length…

NZ Post Savings Bank Chrome Money Box

NZ post office Savings bank, chrome and brass money box, length 10 cm, height 6.5 cm

Cast iron Humpty Dumpty money box

Humpty Dumpty Cast Iron Money Box

Cast iron Humpty Dumpty money box

Cast iron clown money box, approx 18 cm high

Clown Cast Iron Money Box - 18cm

Cast iron clown money box, approx 18 cm high

Four antique figures along with a vintage money box, approx 21…

Antique Figures and Vintage Money Box Set

Four antique figures along with a vintage money box, approx 21 cm high and shorter (5)

An Anneke Borren seahorse money box, 1987. Height 36 cm

Anneke Borren Seahorse Money Box (1987)

An Anneke Borren seahorse money box, 1987. Height 36 cm

Cast figural money box 'I love a copper'

"I heart copper" money box

Cast figural money box 'I love a copper'

Coin bank, circa 1960, Strato mechanical Duro coin bank, length…

Coin bank, circa 1960, Strato mechanical Duro coin bank, length 22 cm