Overview
This is a cast iron mechanical bank featuring the iconic figure of Uncle Sam, designed to 'swallow' coins through a clever lever-activated mechanism.
1Identify
Preliminary identification
Uncle Sam Mechanical Bank (20th Century Reproduction)
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Story
The original version of this bank was patented in June 1886 by Charles G. Shepard and Peter Adams during a period of intense American industrial pride.
Maker / Origin
The original Shepard Hardware Company of Buffalo, New York, was a premier foundry that specialized in these intricate moving toys before the turn of the century.
Condition & Value
The paint appears relatively bright with some minor surface dust and typical wear to the high points of the casting. As a 20th-century reproduction rather than an 1880s original, the value is driven by its decorative appeal and functional condition.
Research
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