"Uncle Sam" Mechanical Bank, 1886-1900
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Artifact Overview
Cast iron mechanical banks, which used ingenious mechanisms to deposit the money, became particularly popular between 1870 and 1930. Banks were produced in a variety of forms. When the button behind Uncle Sam's left foot is pressed, the coin in his right hand is deposited into the open valise at the same time that his beard whiskers move.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Mechanical bank
Date Made
1886-1900
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Designed and patented by Charles G. Shepard and Peter Adams and manufactured by Shepard Hardware Company, Buffalo, New York.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
37.535.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Cast iron
Color
Red
White (Color)
Blue
Gray (Color)
Green
Gold (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 11.25 in
Width: 5 in
Length: 4 in
Inscriptions
Front of platform: UNCLE SAM
Either side of platform: BANK
Valise: U.S.
On bottom: PAT. JUNE 8 1886
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