How to Collect Antique Mechanical Banks

Many collectors of antique toys also collect antique mechanical banks. These treasures of the past with their whimsical animation are in high demand. The simple actions they perform, such as a mother eagle feeding her eaglets or a little girl jumping rope, still seem magical as a coin disappears into the bank.

Instructions

1. Purchase an antique mechanical bank price guide such as "The Official Price Guide to Mechanical Banks" by Dan Morphy.

2. Check out the online reference guide for mechanical banks at Mechanical Banks Online. You'll find photographs, manufacturers and dates.

3. Join the Mechanical Bank Collectors of America online to share your experiences with people that have similar interests.

4. Educate yourself on the ways to distinguish between an original bank and a reproduction by checking "Toy Bank Reproductions and Fakes" by Bob McCumber and reading articles on the subject on websites, such as Mechanical Bank Collectors of America.

5. Learn more about antique mechanical banks by reading articles and books about them. Antiques and the Arts and Mechanical Bank Collectors of America websites both have excellent articles and information.

Tips & Warnings

• Mechanical banks made by Hubley, Sheppard and Strauss, three top American toy manufacturers of the past, are in high demand by antique bank collectors.

• There are more than 400 different known types of mechanical banks. In addition, there are many variations of each one.

• Most mechanical banks date from 1860 to 1935. Those made after that are reproductions.

• Be aware that there are many reproductions of antique mechanical banks. Take the time to learn how to tell the difference.

Resources

• Join the mechanical bank collectors