Antique Original Cast Iron Uncle Sam Mechanical Bank By Shepard Hardware Co. For Sale

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This bank was made by the Shepard Hardware Co in Buffalo, NY in 1886. When it is working properly, you place a coin in Uncle Sam’s hand and depress the lever, and the coin drops into the satchel. This bank has not been restored in any way. The bottom is stamped "Pat June 8, 1886".

The bank was passed down in my family; I assume it has been in the family since the turn of the century... the earlier one. When I took it to the Antiques Road Show in Hartford, CT in 1998, the appraiser said it was the best paint he had seen. He valued it at $4000-$4400. A few months after that it barely failed to achieve a minimum offer of $4500 at a vintage toy and mechanical bank sale in Fairfield, CT. Bummer.

That was then, this is now. I do not have the key. The satchel mechanism does not work, so the satchel stays in the open position unless held closed with a rubber band. The appraiser told me that both problems were only slight detriments to the value. In addition, the head of the screw that holds the bank together broke off. It has been replaced with a vintage screw of similar style.

Please refer to photos for condition and ask questions prior to offerding.

Insurance will be required when shipping this item and is based on the amount of the winning offer. If you are the winning buyer, please wait for an invoice showing cost of shipping and insurance before you pay. Thank you.

This item has been shown times. Antique Original Cast Iron Uncle Sam Mechanical Bank By Shepard Hardware Co.: $912