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...

45 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An 1897 US cast iron mechanical bank 'I Always Did 'Spise a…

1897 US Cast Iron Mechanical Bank: 'Spise a Mule'

An 1897 US cast iron mechanical bank 'I Always Did 'Spise a Mule', by J. & E. Stevens Co. And stamped 'Pat'd April 27, 1897'. Original paint, some losses, length 26 cm.

An unusual painted cast iron mechanical bird money box, circa…

1880's Cast Iron Mechanical Bird Money Box with Eagle Feeding Chicks

An unusual painted cast iron mechanical bird money box, circa 1880's, lever operated and featuring an eagle feeding chicks in a nest, 14.5 cm high

A rare Punch and Judy tin plate, mechanical money bank by…

Mechanical Punch and Judy Money Bank

A rare Punch and Judy tin plate, mechanical money bank by Burnett Limited, London, of tent shape, printed with Punch in the arch beside a window that displays four different characters (Judy, dog, clown and skeleton) as each coin is deposited. Bung absent…

An artillery bank mechanical money box, by J. & E. Stevens and…

Artillery Bank Mechanical Money Box

An artillery bank mechanical money box, by J. & E. Stevens and Co, 1892, cast iron, 15 cm high, 19 cm wide, 9 cm deep. Reference: bill Norman, the bank book: the Encyclopaedia of mechanical bank collecting, accent Studios, 1984, p. 77, fig. 1060-d…

Two Jolly Nigger mechanical banks, painted cast iron, 16 cm high

"Jolly Nigger" Mechanical Banks (Cast Iron, Painted, 16 cm)

Two Jolly Nigger mechanical banks, painted cast iron, 16 cm high

Dentist mechanical bank money box, painted cast iron, 24 cm…

Dentist Mechanical Bank Money Box - Cast Iron, 24cm

Dentist mechanical bank money box, painted cast iron, 24 cm across

Bad Accident mechanical bank, painted cast iron, 27 cm long

Mechanical Bank: Bad Accident

Bad Accident mechanical bank, painted cast iron, 27 cm long

Artillery bank mechanical bank money box, painted cast iron, 15…

Artillery Bank Money Box

Artillery bank mechanical bank money box, painted cast iron, 15 cm high

Speaking dog mechanical bank, painted cast iron with original…

Mechanical Dog Bank with Original Key

Speaking dog mechanical bank, painted cast iron with original key, 18 cm high

Four mechanical bank money boxes Jolly Nigger and Dinah,…

Mechanical Bank Money Boxes: Jolly Nigger and Dinah

Four mechanical bank money boxes Jolly Nigger and Dinah, painted cast iron, the tallest 19 cm high

Two mechanical banks, Trick dog and Teddy and the bear, painted…

Cast Iron Mechanical Banks: Trick Dog and Teddy & Bear

Two mechanical banks, Trick dog and Teddy and the bear, painted cast iron, the taller 19 cm high

William Tell mechanical bank cast iron money box, 17 cm high

William Tell Mechanical Bank Money Box

William Tell mechanical bank cast iron money box, 17 cm high

Uncle Sam mechanical bank painted cast iron money box, 28 cm…

Uncle Sam Mechanical Bank - Cast Iron Money Box

Uncle Sam mechanical bank painted cast iron money box, 28 cm high

An American colonial 'Dinah' mechanical cast iron money box,…

Antique American Mechanical Money Box - Dinah, 1869

An American colonial 'Dinah' mechanical cast iron money box, working order. J.E. Stevens Pat. 1869, height 18 cm.

A 'Trick Dog' mechanical money bank, paint finish, operating…

"Trick Dog" Mechanical Money Bank - 22cm Length, Working Condition

A 'Trick Dog' mechanical money bank, paint finish, operating order, length 22 cm.

A vintage American cast iron lion and monkey mechanical money…

Antique Cast Iron Mechanical Money Bank with Lion and Monkey

A vintage American cast iron lion and monkey mechanical money bank, Kyser & Rex 1883 Pennsylvania USA, in working order, slight damage to monkeys hand, original paint finish. Height 23 cm

An old cast iron mechanical 'Trick Dog' money bank, with…

Polychrome Trick Dog Money Bank

An old cast iron mechanical 'Trick Dog' money bank, with polychrome enamelled decoration. Length 22 cm.

An American 1833 J. & E. Steven's Co. 'Eagle & Eaglets' cast…

1833 Cast Iron Mechanical Money Bank with Eagle & Eaglets

An American 1833 J. & E. Steven's Co. 'Eagle & Eaglets' cast iron mechanical money bank, in original paint, the snake handle operates the mechanism tipping the mother bird forward and releasing the coin as the original internal bellows create a chirping…

A rare Us. c.1880 mechanical 'Bull Dog Bank' money bank, by J &…

Mechanical Bulldog Money Bank, 1880s

A rare Us. c.1880 mechanical 'Bull Dog Bank' money bank, by J & E Stevens Co., with original paint. Missing glass eyes and coin trap, but in working order. Height 19 cm

An old Little Joe cast iron mechanical bank, made by John…

Antique Little Joe Mechanical Bank with Original Baseplate

An old Little Joe cast iron mechanical bank, made by John Harper Co., England, c.1910. Original baseplate in tact

An old Dinah cast-iron mechanical bank, made by John Harper Co.,…

Antique Dinah Mechanical Bank, John Harper Co., c.1911

An old Dinah cast-iron mechanical bank, made by John Harper Co., England, c.1911. Missing baseplate

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

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 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

Cast iron Negro mechanical money box 17 cm high approx

Antique Cast Iron Negro Money Box

Cast iron Negro mechanical money box 17 cm high approx

Cast iron mechanical money box, 16 cm high approx

Vintage Cast Iron Money Box

Cast iron mechanical money box, 16 cm high approx

Vintage Afro-American  mechanical money box

Mechanical Money Box for Vintage Afro-Americans

Vintage Afro-American mechanical money box

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

A 'Jolly Nigger' mechanical money box. A 'Jolly Nigger'…

Offensive Money Box: Jolly Nigger

A 'Jolly Nigger' mechanical money box. A 'Jolly Nigger' mechanical money box

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

An Americana 'Jolly Nigger' money box, mechanical action, cast…

"Jolly Nigger" Mechanical Money Box

An Americana 'Jolly Nigger' money box, mechanical action, cast aluminium. Height 16 cm

Always Did 'Spise a Mule Mechanical bank. Bucking Jockey…

Bucking Jockey Mechanical Bank - Half Head Missing

Always Did 'Spise a Mule Mechanical bank. Bucking Jockey Version. Half Rider's Head Missing. Functional. Length 25 cm

19th century cast iron soldier mechanical bank. Soldier shoots…

Soldier Mechanical Bank: Shoots Penny at Stump

19th century cast iron soldier mechanical bank. Soldier shoots penny at tree stump. Losses to barrel; cocked but not firing. Height 26 cm

19th century cast iron eagle mechanical bank. Tilting eagle…

Cast Iron Eagle Mechanical Bank with Young Feeding Action

19th century cast iron eagle mechanical bank. Tilting eagle 'Feeds' young. Original faded paint. Top beak missing. Height 15 cm

Two American banks. Cast iron young Ni.r still bank, original…

American Banks: Cast Iron & Jolly Ni.r Mechanical Bank

Two American banks. Cast iron young Ni.r still bank, original paint; later aluminium Jolly Ni.r mechanical bank, A/F. Height 17 cm

19th century cast iron mechanical bank. Hoop-la Jumping dog.…

Antique Hoop-La Jumping Dog Mechanical Bank

19th century cast iron mechanical bank. Hoop-la Jumping dog. Worn original paint. Functional. Length 21 cm

Cast iron wise owl mechanical bank. Worn original paint.…

Wise Owl Mechanical Bank - Vintage Cast Iron Collectible

Cast iron wise owl mechanical bank. Worn original paint. replacement base plate. Height 20 cm

Always Did 'Spise a Mule mechanical bank. Original Early 20th C;…

"Spise a Mule" Mechanical Bank - Working, Repainted (Missing Whip)

Always Did 'Spise a Mule mechanical bank. Original Early 20th C; Repainted. working. Whip missing. Length 25 cm

19th century cast iron wise owl mechanical bank. Good original…

Wise Owl Mechanical Bank with Original Paint and Glass Eyes

19th century cast iron wise owl mechanical bank. Good original paint and glass eyes. Height 20 cm

Circus clown Mechanical money box. Height 23 cm

Circus Clown Money Box - 23cm

Circus clown Mechanical money box. Height 23 cm