When a mechanical cast-iron bank based on the Bible story featuring Jonah and a whale brought $119,125 last month at Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pa., few were surprised. One of the most desired ...

WHAT: When more than 300 still banks from a noted private collection sold at Bertoia Auctions last month, a highlight was the rare Kenton cast-iron Statue of Liberty figure bank.

Appraisal: Cast Iron Two-faced Devil Bank, ca. 1910 ...

Antique mechanical banks have gone from storing pennies to selling for thousands of dollars. This frog bank is well known and highly prized, selling recently for $12,800 at auction.

This company made cast-iron toys and banks as part of their wares from 1905 until about 1938. In the 1920s it was the largest cast-iron toy company in the world. Your toy probably dates to 1910-1920.

All of this came to mind when I visited the Historical Museum and admired its display of antique mechanical banks. The golden age of American cast iron banks lasted from 1869 to 1910.