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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 19 2007, 12:24 PM EDT (current) | jsonderg | 202 words added |
| Apr 19 2007, 12:24 PM EDT | jsonderg |
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The sound of crashing pottery must have been a familiar one in American homes at the turn of the 20th century because children couldn’t open their ceramic penny banks any other way. Indeed, the number of ceramic penny banks that survive is a good indication of how popular they were between 1890 and 1930. Penny banks were a popular gift for children, and many companies used them as advertising giveaways, as well. Penny banks were factory-made in Europe and in the United States. All are cast ceramic, either porcelain or an inexpensive form of pottery. They were produced in a wide variety of forms, including Uncle Sam, jack-in-the-box, assorted animals, contemporary cartoon characters, and many more. Sizes range from 2-1/2 to 5 inches tall. Decoration was confined to the detail of the casting mold and the glaze. Most American examples were glazed in one color, commonly green, blue, or drown. Today, the penny bank is a popular and affordable folk art collectible, most being had for under $200. Because the banks would eventually be smashed, they were often cheaply made. Weigh a model’s rarity against its condition when buying: you might want to accept minor chipping or cracks on very rare examples.
