Mechanical banks are banks that when a coin is deposited, the coin sets a mechanical action. Some of these start the action as the coin flows into the bank.  Yet with others the action is started by the user pressing a button or lever after the coin is placed.  These cast iron banks were put into production after the Civil War, at the start of the industrial age.  Prior to that most toys were made of wood, tin or sheet metal.  Parents of the time wanted to instill thriftiness into their children, and the toy makers were quick to cash in with saving ideas.
     The first mechanical bank was of "Hall's Excelsior" made by J.& E. Stevens in 1869.  It was also the first of many banks designed as a building, (which later was a major design of still banks).   This first bank was 5 inches tall, with a monkey sitting on top the building, you placed a coin on the tray in the monkeys lap, pull the string and the monkey disappears inside to deposit the coin.   This bank was produced in many colors, and value depending on color.  The yellow one currently values at $300 - $900.00 depending on condition.
     Since that first mechanical bank, many other styles and designs were produced until World War II, and then many reproductions started to enter the market place.  The most sought after is that of  "Jonah and the Whale", also by Stevens, produced in the 1880s - can be worth over $55,000.00.   But a "Jonah and the Whale" by Shepard Hardware, produced in the 1890s is valued at only $4500.00.   With few exceptions (German, France, & England), many of the reproductions have just a country's name (such as TAIWAN) and no makers name.  Even though serious collectors don't want these reproductions, many reproductions are rapidly increasing in value as well.  A few years ago Mister Find IT sold an Uncle Sam reproduction, on Ebay for about $20.00, and in August 2002, we saw the same reproduction in an antique shop for $150.00.     When buying or selling mechanical banks be sure to get exact size, as originals have the correct sizes listed in price guides, and reproductions are usually some what off from stated sizes.
     Most collectors of mechanical banks don't want banks that:
a.)  are repainted; 
b.)  say "Book of Knowledge"; 
c.) banks made after 1930; 
d.)  reproductions.  Though a few of the original makers are "unknown", many of the sought after makers names or patent information, are printed in the molding of the bank.  Names to watch for are: 1.) A. C. Willams
2.) Bankers Thrift 
3.) Banks & Sons 
4.) Baumgarter & Nickel Co. 
5.) Beverly Novelty
6.) Calumet Baking Powder 
7.) Chamberlain & Hill 
8.) Charles Bailey
9.) Edward J. Colby 
10.) Enterprise 
11.) Fedinand Strauss 
12.) F.W. Smith 
13.) Henry C. Hart 
14.) Hubley
15.) Hugo Mfg.
16.)  Introduction 
17.) Ives
18.) J. Barton & Smith Co. 
19.) J.& E. Stevens 
20.)  James A. Serrill 
21.) J. Harper & Co. 
22.) Judd 
23.) Kenton 
24.) Kilgore 
25.) Kingsbury Mfg. 
26.) Kyser & Rex 
27.) Louis 
28.) Marx 
29.) McLoughlin Brothers 
30.) Mechanical Novelty Works 
31.) Melvisto Novelty 
32.) National Brass Works 
33.) Ole Storle 
34.) Regina Music Box 
35.) Richard Elliot 
36.) Saalheimer & Strauss 
37.) Shepard Hardware 
38.) Starkie - (England) 
39.) Stollwerck 
40.) Straits Mfg. 
41.) Weeden 
42.) Wm. Morrison 
43.) W.S. Reed
Also many of these banks were featured on trading cards which can bring $300 - $1000.00 each, and boxes also add a lot to the value.