Mechanical bank

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Cast iron mechanical banks have been a collectors item since the mid 1800s. They were originally designed to promote saving among children. To make these banks appealing to kids, they were cleverly designed, often depicting historical, legendary or everyday events. Each bank performs a stunt or an action. All that was needed was for a coin to be dropped into a slot, and the lever to be pulled. The banks quickly caught on with children and adults alike and soon became a sought-after collector's item. Today, mechanical banks of yore still have not lost their magic or gone out of style.

• http://www.povertybob.com/bank.htm This site has many more images of cast iron banks.