I Found The Contents of a Bank!

[Valley Ranger]

Well, sorta. Went back out to one of my favorite farm sites here in the Shenandoah Valley for a short hunt Saturday morning. Found a button or rivet of some type, I'll post that later. Also found a 1964 Jefferson nickel and this "pass" to a bank! It reads:

"The Farmers & Merchants Bank of Staunton, VA."
"1240"

And then . . .

"We Unlock This Bank And Credit You With The Contents"

I think it might be a lid to a child's bank, not sure. Maybe someone has seen something like it before. There's the remains of a hinge on the back. It's a little smaller than a pack of old Camel cigarettes. F & M has a long history here in the Valley, dating to 1908. This looks like it dates to the early 1900's - not sure. Below are before and after cleaning pictures. Just used some baking soda and CLR on it with a soft toothbrush.

 

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[leprechaun]

excellent find for sure.

 

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[oldsalty19]

 

[Valley Ranger]

Nope Nelson County Va Born and residing!
Lets do some diggin sometime

Wow - I didn't know you were that close! Some of my kin are from Nelson County - Campbell's and McGann's. Yes, we need to get together. This week and next are very busy for me, but maybe after that.

 

[jewelerguy]

I collect antique 'still' banks (the kind that just sit there.... non-mechanical). what that is, is a part of a promotional advertising bank that was a given away by the bank to encourage savings and savings account deposits. the bank kept the key and you could bring your savings bank in and they would open it and deposit your change into your account. most of them usually had a hole to roll up paper money and insert into the bank as well. these were pretty popular from the 1910's through the early 60's. yours probably dates to the mid to late 1920's.

 

[ibjeepn]

Nice ! Congrats !

 

[Just some Guy]

Sweet find!!!!

 

[Valley Ranger]

I collect antique 'still' banks (the kind that just sit there.... non-mechanical). what that is, is a part of a promotional advertising bank that was a given away by the bank to encourage savings and savings account deposits. the bank kept the key and you could bring your savings bank in and they would open it and deposit your change into your account. most of them usually had a hole to roll up paper money and insert into the bank as well. these were pretty popular from the 1910's through the early 60's. yours probably dates to the mid to late 1920's.

JG: Thank you so much for that information! I was hoping someone like you would fill in the details on this. I'm in the process of assembling a "Relic Album" - complete with stories, photos, and information on some of my more interesting finds. One day someone will be able to read through it and make sense of some of these more peculiar finds. Thanks again!