| At the Museum of American Finance in New York City there was an ongoing exhibit that examines the scope of America's history in piggy banks. Titled "America's Coin Banks", this public showing detailed the 150 year evolution of coin banks as it pertains to the American history of saving and investing. What is most notable is the exhibition of 40 antique coin banks, among which were educational piggy banks for children as well as banks used by businesses for marketing. "America's Coin Banks" was sponsored by Coinstar and made its debut in January of 2002 as a national traveling exhibit. What follows are exerpts from a 2002 press release titled "This Little Piggy Went to Market" (reprinted with permission from the Museum of American Finance) that further describe this exhibit's debut:
"America's Coin Banks" will feature more than 70 rare banks including an 1893 mechanical bank from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History commemorating the 400th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in America; metal banks from the 1901 and 1939 World's Fairs; several Early American pottery piggy banks; and examples of some of the country's most unusual contemporary banks.
"Children are encouraged to place their change in piggy banks, thus learning to save their money from a young age," said Meg Ventrudo, the Museum's assistant director for exhibits and education. "This is especially important because the saving and spending practices they develop as children often influence their financial habits as adults."
The exhibit will coincide with a patriotic display of historic Liberty Bonds featuring posters, documents, bond rally newsreel footage and promotional items from World War I through the current NYC Recovery Bond drive.
See below for a few of the exhibit highlights*:
Piggy Banks Featured at the Exhibit
 Hull
Pottery Sitting Pig Bank
Hull Pottery was located in Crooksville, Ohio and at one time was one of the largest manufacturers of stoneware specialties. It was formed in 1905 by A. E. Hull and operated until 1985. Hull has many collectible lines of pottery, and its production artware lines and dinnerware lines are some of the most popular. Its cookie jars and piggy banks are equally popular and are collected by both Hull Pottery collectors and bank collectors. This piggy bank is listed as the "Sitting Pig" bank, mold number 196 in the mirror brown with foam drip finish. It is made of pottery and was manufactured from 1960 until the close of the company in 1985. There is a hole in the bottom to retrieve money. |
 Royal
Copely Pig Bank
The Royal Copely Company began as Spalding China Company and was located in Sebring, Ohio. In 1942, it started producing novelties, figurines, vases, and planters for department stores and dime stores around the nation. The company operated as Spalding China, Royal Copely, and Royal Windsor and is known for its quality of workmanship and its colorful pastel glazes. This piggy bank is made of pottery and is commonly referred to as the "Pig with Bow Tie." It can be found in three color variations. It does not have a hole in the bottom to retrieve the money. |
 Brush
McCoy Standing Pottery Pig Bank
In 1909, George Brush joined J. W. McCoy Pottery, which in turn formed
the Brush McCoy Pottery Company in 1911. The company was located primarily
out of Zanesville, Ohio, but had other facilities in the surrounding area.
In 1925, after several changes, Brush McCoy changed its name to Brush
Pottery and operated until 1978. Brush McCoy is a widely-collectible pottery,
and it frequently tops the list of one the most collectible potteries
in the United States. Brush McCoy was part of the American Art Pottery
Movement. This piggy bank was manufactured in the early years of Brush McCoy's
operation, between 1912 and 1925. It is made of pottery and does not have
a hole in the bottom to remove the coins. |
 Rio
Hondo Shy Pig Bank
Rio Hondo was manufactured in El Monte, California. It is believed that it went into production sometime around 1945. Not much is known about the pottery company, as it was relatively short-lived and ceased production prior to 1955. The company crafted small miniature novelties, mostly animal figurines, which are recognized for their creamy glaze that has developed a light crazing over time with a handpainted dot floral motif utilizing mostly brown, pink and blue. This piggy bank is made of pottery and is commonly referred to as the "Shy Pig Bank." There is not a hole in the bottom to retrieve the coins. |
 Early
Czechoslovakia Hole-Eye Pig Bank
Hole-eye pig banks were some of the earliest piggy banks manufactured in large quantities. These pig banks were made from the 1880's through about 1920 and are typically very fragile, due to their age and pottery composition. Most were made in Austria or Czechoslovakia and brought or imported to the United States. They are typically unmarked, but sometimes can be found marked with the country of origin or simply marked "foreign." They are made of a very light stoneware with an almost glass-type colorful drip glaze over the upper half of the pig bank. This glaze is very susceptible to flaking and as a result, most banks have some type of damage. This bank is marked "Czechoslovakia," and there is no hole in the bottom to retrieve the coins.
*Exhibit highlights appear here courtesy of Museum of American Finance. |
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