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Two old metal banks.. 1913?

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Still Banks393 of 405Cast Iron "Star" Childs Coin SafeAfrican American Iron Coin Bank
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    Posted 13 years ago

    Mike213
    (2 items)

    Have these two antique banks just wondering if anyone can tell me anything about them. Interested in any history/date info on them also if possible an approximate worth of them each. Not looking to sell just curious. Thanks for looking.

    First one is stamped "The Bankers Service Corporation. New York Patent no. 1011521" and is stamped with the companys logo. It has slots for bills, $5 gold pieces, cents, dimes, halfs, nickles and quaters. It's the rectangle shaped bank with the handle in the pictures. It's in great shape just needs to be cleaned up a little.

    The other one is stamped "UNION TRUST COMPANY NO. 15235" (on top by the key hole). The Bottom is stamped with a bunch of stuff (haha) it goes as follows:

    "original compartment recording safe patents
    THE SAVINGS TELLER
    patented: APRIL 26-1904 JULY 4-1905 APRIL 25-1911
    patented: SEPT. 8-1913 SEPT. 23-1913
    other patents pending
    THE AUTOMATIC RECORDING SAFE CO.
    CHICAGO, U.S.A."
    It's the oval/oblong shaped bank in the pics, It is in very good shape has the box and 2 keys.

    Just wondering some info about them.

    Thanks for looking.
    -Mike

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    Comments

    1. ttomtucker ttomtucker, 13 years ago
      Your first bank was invented by Elmer B Stone of New Britian Conn. on Dec 12 1911. He assigned his patent over to The Corbin Cabinet Lock Co, New Britian, Conn.
    2. ttomtucker ttomtucker, 13 years ago
      Your second bank was Patented by Charles Fisher of Chicago, Ill. He held several patents on banks and they were all assigned to the Automatic Recording Safe Co of Chicago. The patend I found for your bank was April 24, 1913.
    3. mike213, 13 years ago
      Wow, Thank you so much very great and detailed info! I appreciate it. How did you find so much info out if you don't mind me asking? I'm impressed. Any idea on the worth of each? Not looking to sell they have been in family for a long long time just curious as to the worth if any at all. Thanks again, Mike
    4. ttomtucker ttomtucker, 13 years ago
      Since you had the patent numbers, I did a google patent search and found the information. If you didn't have the patent number I would have search under still banks, but that is a long ordeal. I have seen your still banks listed/sell on Ebay at 75.00 to 125.00.
    5. Chuck , 13 years ago
      Mike, I have a bank like your #1. It has a metal plate on the end that states "Dillsburg National Bank". Dillsburg is a small town in southcentral PA near where I live. Question--does your bank have a key and if it does, what is the shape? Mine has no key. I'm thinking that perhaps the toy bank was a way to get youngsters to save money and the big bank had the only key so that the child had to deposit the money into an account. Thanks.
    6. Chuck, 13 years ago
      Thanks, Jason. Are you saying that it would be a waste of my time to look for a key to the bank in the box of stuff it was sitting in? The Dillsburg National Bank has been through several ownerships so I doubt if the key survived. Wonder if a locksmith could make one? I would like to say that the bank is filled with Barber and Walking Liberty halves, Standing Liberty quarters, Indian head cents, Mercury dimes, AND $5 gold pieces but, alas, it is totally empty. I will continue my quest for a key! Thanks for your response. Chuck
    7. Chuck, 13 years ago
      Kevin, I searched the cardboard box where I found the bank but no key. My cousin has an antique shop in Abbottstown (PA) and I will show the bank to him in the off chance that he might have a key that will fit. Or perhaps he can shed some light on the bank itself. Another path I may pursue is to talk to an elderly ex-banker who lives near me--maybe he can help me with the background of the bank. I thought that perhaps my mother (age 95) might have some info but she does not. If there were coins in the bank I would probably try my 1/8 inch 'key' and Makita drill. But being empty it would be a shame to wreck it. Thanks again for your help with my key situation. Chuck
    8. Darlene25, 13 years ago
      I have one of the very same Bankers Service Corporation banks. It has a tag on it promoting the Farmers Bank from Butler, PA. It does have a key. I really appreciated the information given.
    9. Chuck, 13 years ago
      Darlene. Would it be possible for you to furnish me with an outline or the measurements of your key. I spoke with a locksmith in York PA yesterday and asked if he could make a key for my Dillsburg PA bank. He said that he could but it would cost between $40 and $50. That means $50!! I don't think that the bank is worth that much. I'm thinking that 'one key fits all' for these banks. Thanks so much. Chuck
    10. Darlene25, 13 years ago
      Chuck,
      I'd be happy to send you a clay impression of the key. We were fortunate that the one left to us by a family member had the key attached. Darlene
    11. Chuck, 13 years ago
      Awesome, Darlene. Or even an outline if that would be easier. There is a very large flea market in New Oxford PA in a week or two--i will be looking for similar banks there but don't have much hope!
      Chuck Wallace 142 Hull Drive East Berlin PA 17316
    12. Darlene, 13 years ago
      Chuck, I'll send it out tomorrow. I made a simple polymer clay impression. Glad to do it!
    13. Chuck, 13 years ago
      Darlene, thank you so much. I'm hoping my 'one-key-fits-all" idea is a good one. If not, there's still the New Oxford flea market. Anxiously awaiting the impression. Chuck
    14. Carmen , 13 years ago
      Well did the key impression you got work? I too have a bank with no lock. I'm wondering if I could see that impression too.
    15. Chuck, 13 years ago
      Carmen, I received the impression from Darlene in five pieces thanks to the USPS. Fortunately she had carefully placed it on a piece of cardboard and wrapped it in several layers of aluminum foil. Nothing was out of place so it was easy for me to glue the pieces back together. I intend to measure the impression tonite and begin the hacksawing and filing processes. I've got my fingers crossed that first of all I can duplicate the impression and secondly that the key will open my bank. IF the key works I should be able to have a locksmith duplicate it and mail one to you.
      We'll see! Chuck
    16. Chuck, 13 years ago
      Sorry folks. My 'one-key-fits-all-banks' theory just flew out the window! I started with Darlene's impression and made my key just a bit oversize and then tried it and filed it and filed it and tried it.......no luck at all. I'll be making a trip to a locksmith in Hanover tomorrow. Hopefully he'll have a ring of keys that I can try. Chuck
    17. Chuck, 13 years ago
      Absolutely no luck in Hanover although I did try several dozen keys that were possibilities. However, one of the locksmiths that I talked to told me that he had gone to a 'long-ago-bought-out' bank and asked if they had a key to 'their' banks. Y E S ! I'll be driving to Dillsburg in the near future and visiting the long-ago-bought-out Dillsburg National Bank. Maybe, just maybe, the manager of that branch will remember seeing an old key or two laying around somewhere. I have not yet given up! Thanks again Darlene.
    18. Chuck, 13 years ago
      No luck with Dillsburg National Bank although they did give me the name of a retired manager who "might know something about your bank". We'll see! The quest continues--stay tuned.
    19. Ronald Case, 13 years ago
      We also have a bank like the first one way ahead and would be interested in a key if ever one is found....ours is long gone somewhere.
      We believe this bank is empty except for one quarter.
    20. Kat A, 13 years ago
      I too have one of those banks. Mine is from the First National bank York, PA
      I used it as a child and I took it to the bank that was on the NE corner of the square in York and had it emptied periodically. I don't know if there is still a bank there or if their key would fit your bank.
    21. Chuck , 13 years ago
      Kat A, thanks for the info. I'm assuming that you no longer live in the York PA area. York is still there although the downtown is probably different than you remember it. I gather from your discussion that you did not have a key since you state that you took it to the bank to be emptied periodically. Did you ever have $5 gold pieces to put in the bank? I would think that $5 was quite a bit of money 'back in the day'. I will visit Continental Square and check out the possibility of whatever bank is there now having the key hanging somewhere in a dark corner. Thanks again, Chuck
    22. Bruno Hartmann, 13 years ago
      I Have two of the Banks & two keys, Miners savings Bank Olyphant.PA. The bottom reads orignal compartment recording safe patent's and also the branch bank bill's. Patented April 25,1904, july 4, 1905, april 25, 1911, september 9,1918, september 23, 1918..also say's under the hole for bill's " other patent's pending", also under that say's " automatic safe company " Chicago, USA. My grandfather was a coalminer in Pa. and gave me two of these banks with the key's. One is numbered 142..the other one is also numbered. If anyone has any information on the value of these bank's please contact me. Thank-you Bruno
    23. lighthouse keeper, 13 years ago
      could someone send me a tracing of a key? mine is oval shaped, #9586. thanks in advance.
    24. Ann , 12 years ago
      Hi! I have a bank that is from The bankers service corporation in excellent shape it has been unlocked. It has the number 1375 on the handle. Just wanted to find out how much it is worth if any or if you could tell me more about it?

      Thanks
    25. recessfish, 11 years ago
      I know this is a 2 yr old discussion but I found it with a google search. I have one like the first bank, same patent number. My bank has a plaque that says "Savings Fund Department, The Germantown Ave Bank. Philadelphia, PA."
      This was my husband's grandfather's bank. He worked on the Philadelphia trolley and used this bank to hold his money. (I think while working, but not sure.) It had a broken key that I could not use so I brought it to a local locksmith. He made a key but it only works intermittently. He said he could not make a better key because he can't take the lock apart! Oh, and he charged me $25. I can send someone a photo of the keys to give you an idea of what they look like. It wasn't worth the $25 since it only works sometimes, but at least I have a key. The locksmith wanted to buy the bank for $25 but I wouldn't sell it to him. I'd rather try on ebay where a true collector can find it. Thanks for posting these photos since I was not able to find any other information about this bank and wanted to share my story. The bank has a serial number too, 1291, on the little handle. Thanks again!
    26. ChuckW, 9 years ago
      The most amazing thing happened to me this evening! A local man stopped by my house and asked if I still had the Dillsburg National Bank bank. He had an identical bank AND had a key made to fit his bank. The same key also fits my bank!! He loaned his key to me and I will be having a copy made ASAP. If you need a key, let me know. Chuck
    27. Vette70, 8 years ago
      Hello Chuck, I collect advertising still banks from Bankers Service Corp., C.O. Burns Co., and W.F. Burns Company. They were similar because they were built by Corbin Cabinet in New Britian, CT. They were all well made for their time, and all used a number of different key and lock combinations. I have 3 different banks with the $5 Gold slot, exactly as the one you described. I was able to make get one key for my Farmers & Merchants Bank of Jamestown, NY. I am still looking for keys for my First National Bank of York , PA and Mohnton National Bank, PA. Can you possible email me a a scan of your Dillsburg, PA Key? Thank you.
    28. ChuckW, 8 years ago
      I certainly will! However, not being technologically savvy I need my wife's help and she's currently watching 'Cooking with David' on QVC. Maybe this evening, would probably be easier if I had your personal e-mail--no idea how to send pics thru this forum. I gather from your name that you are a Corvette person. Me, I'm currently restoring my '65 Mustang convertible that I've owned since new! Quite a project. Chuck
    29. Vette70, 8 years ago
      Hello Chuck,

      Thank you for such a quick response!! My email is: boxxman69@hotmail.com

      If you need any information regarding the manufacture, please let me know.

      Thanks,
      Bob
    30. marions, 8 years ago
      Hi ,just came across this while looking for info on my still bank. I also have the second one (oval) with farmers and merchants bank,fron Staunton VA. and would like to know id its still possible to get a key for the bank? It's mpty except for the penny slot and I'm curious if they are 'old' or newer coins.Thanks ,Marion
    31. ChuckW, 8 years ago
      Marion, you can probably get a key made for your bank by a good key and lock company. I don't know where you live but I have dealt with locksmiths in both Hanover and York (PA). One was able to make a key for one of my oval banks and the other made a key for my rectangular bank. Both charged about $30 for their services. On the other hand, if you know someone who has a key that fits, you could have a copy made for about $8.
      My rectangular bank (Troy, PA) also had pennies in the slot, most were from the twenties (not uncirculated condition, of course), AND another one was an Indian head cent from the late 1800's (again not in the greatest condition).
      I'm near East Berlin PA (southcentral PA) so if you want to stop by and try my keys I'm usually home. Chuck
    32. Bob15, 5 years ago
      I have a rectangular brown book bank made by the Automatic Recording Safe Co (Chicago, Patents #1886181-#1903177) and recently made a key for it out of a 1/32" thick piece of sheet metal (back plate of a metal electrical outlet box). It is a simple L-shaped key where the width of the base of the "L" is no bigger than 1/4" and width of the vertical arm of the "L" is slightly less than 5/32". The height of the base is 1/8". 1/4 turn of this key (after using WD40 to loosen lock) inserted to just inside the key opening should allow you to pull up the top of the bank.
    33. Leanew, 4 years ago
      I know this is an old thread but we just bought one of the oval banks with no key today. Wondering if someone with a key could send me an outline of the key? Thanks!
    34. ChuckW, 4 years ago
      Leanew, There are numerous designs for keys for oval and box-shaped banks. You could try to make one using Bob15's plans (above) and I hope you are successful. If not, your best bet might be to visit a local locksmith with your bank in hand and see if s/he could produce a working key for you. Good luck to you, they are fascinating products of yester-year. Chuck
    35. Leanew, 4 years ago
      Thanks!! We will try that, it seems this bank needs a double pronged key though and the above directions seem to be for a single prong key
    36. ChuckW, 4 years ago
      That does complicate matters somewhat. I will check my several banks and see if any of them use a double prong key. Will get back to you later this evening, I must help build sets for my granddaughter's HS musical production this afternoon. Another thought is to check ebay and see if anyone is selling a bank similar to yours WITH a key. The pics often include a closeup of the key. Chuck
    37. Leanew, 4 years ago
      We found a photo of a bank with a key elsewhere but only one of the banks sold on eBay have a key and it isn’t shown, I will do a search for a two proved key and see what I come up with
    38. ChuckW, 4 years ago
      Looked at my oval banks this evening. The business ends of the two-pronged keys look like two capital E's back to back with a slot in between. The top horizontal part of the 'E' is part of the main key, the bottom horizontal parts of the E are the same on all three keys, and the spacing of the middle horizontal part of the E varies from key to key. That's the best written description that I can give you. Chuck
    39. ChuckW, 4 years ago
      I searched ebay for 'oval metal coin bank vintage' and the second or third item has a key. The fourth pic shows the two-pronged key taped to the bottom of the bank. It is similar to mine BUT doesn't have the middle part of the E. At least it will give you some idea of the general shape of the key. Might even fit yours! Happy bidding. Chuck
    40. JimmyK, 4 years ago
      I'm late to this conversation. I have The Traveling Teller made by The Automatic Recording Safe Co. in Chicago; very similar to the oval Savings Teller described above. I, too, am looking for a key. Looks like one or more of you may have keys that open these old metal banks. Are any of you able to send me tracings or copies of the key? Many thanks!
    41. Vette70, 4 years ago
      Hello Everyone, Is anyone here familiar with the small round pocket banks that were in use in the 1920's & 1930's? These usually were carried in a person's pocket, and accepted Quarters or less. Some of the manufacturers were Bankers Thrift Corporation, Stronghart and Parisian Novelty Company. I have a few different models, but was looking to make keys to open them. Does anyone have one of these small Pocket Banks that can sow me what one of the keys looks like? Thank you. Bob
    42. ChuckW, 4 years ago
      Not familiar with the 'pocket bank' but the other varieties shown above generally use a flat steel key. Perhaps a locksmith could create one for you. Chuck
    43. Barbies, 4 years ago
      Jimmy k. I found a picture online and used it to make a key from a saw blade. Also there are a few on eBay with keys but a little expensive. Not sure how this works I’m new to this site but I can email you the picture.
    44. BankCa1, 10 months ago
      ChuckW, I just read your posts - it's been several years since you posted info about keys. I have an old Savings Teller bank from the York Central National Bank and Trust Co. It needs the two prong "E" key that you described. Do you have a key like this? I've been searching for quite a while and was so happy to find these posts. Please reply if you're still following this. Thank you!
    45. ChuckW, 10 months ago
      BankCa1, I have five different banks with two-prong keys but none from York Central National B&T. Two of my banks have identical keys so basically I have four different two-prong keys. Several of them appear to have been duplicated from originals but not by me. If you are in the York PA area perhaps we could compare my keys with your bank and see if any fit. I'm located near East Berlin PA.

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