Up for auction is this Vintage Still Bank, issued by “The Mohnton National Bank, of Mohnton, Pennsylvania.”, Charter #8938.  The bank was Chartered in December of 1907, and issued a mere 3,326 total sheets (13,304 banknotes) of 3^rd Charter Red Seals, Date Backs and Plain Backs over a 13 year 6 month period, before being liquidated on June 1, 1921.  The most recent 6^th Edition Kelly Book shows this bank as “UNREPORTED”, but I have on good authority that one note is reported and in collector hands.  With all the Pennsylvania State and County Collectors looking to add a note on this bank to their collections, here is an opportunity for one person to own an inexpensive alternative.  A promotional advertising Still Bank issued by this rare bank!   I have only seen one other advertising still bank from this Mohnton National Bank in my 5 years of collecting these banks! 

In the 1890’s, there was a push for banks to increase their customer base and find new depositors.  Normally it was only Businesses that had checking accounts in Banks.  Bankers Service Corp of New York, was an independent company that Banks would hire to seek out new customers to increase their retail business.  Bankers Service Corp would be paid for each new account they would bring to a Bank that hired them.  This was a new means, whereby Banking Institutions could attract the individual and family accounts, as depositors.  Banks would order these Home Banking Safes with sequential numbers stamped on them.  The Banks in turn would lend these Home Banking Safes to potential depositors that would open an account at the bank for $1.00 or more.  The bank kept the key to the Home Banking Safe, and the individuals would bring the Home Banking Safe into the bank, to have the contents emptied and deposited directly into their account.  The number stamped on the Home Banking Safe became the individual account number that depositor had at the bank.  This was an economical way for banks to attract the individual depositor, and it was forced savings for the depositors. 

Because the bank kept the key, it is very rare to see one of these Home Banking Safes with a key, especially a Bankers Service Bank.  The #1217 stamped on the top handle, represents the account number the individual that was lent this bank, was assigned when they were given this Home Banking Safe to use.

This Bankers Service Corp., New York still bank was patented on December 12, 1911, but was probably manufactured and distributed to the Mohnton National Bank of Mohnton, Pennsylvania, sometime between 1914 - 1920.  While there were other companies that were making similar products; these Bankers Service Corp., Home Banking Safes were extremely well built, very strong, and the average person at the time could not break into them!  This bank weighs 1 pound, and 5 ounces, and is built with heavy gauge brass and some steel making it near impossible to break into.  This bank has a patented design to prevent the coins from being removed once deposited through the coin slot.

This particular Still Bank is in my opinion was the pinnacle design for these Advertising Still Banks!  The Bank has stamped on the far end “M’F’G’D’ BY THE BANKERS SERVICE CORPORATION, NEW YORK”.  This is not the case, it was manufactured FOR them by Corbin Cabinet Corporation, of New Britain, Connecticut!!!  This Still Bank was extremely well built, had a simplistic two-piece design and made it easy for Bank Tellers to count, stack, record and deposit coinage into customer accounts quickly.   Its rectangular design required minimal space to count and separate coinage into 8 distinct slots, which included compartments for Cents, Nickels, Dimes, Dimes, Quarters, Halves, $5 Gold and Currency.  Deposited coins would stack neatly with the help of its internal spider form jig.  There were small die-cut oval slots (windows) with hash marks, so the depositor could see exactly how much money was in the bank, before handing it to the Bank Teller for deposit.  The only case this did not apply to, was the currency hole on the top of the Still Bank.  This particular bank utilized U.S. Patent  #1011521 and was patented on December 12, 1911.  After this time period, Manufacturers of these Still Banks began to cheapen their Banks to be competitive in an expanding market place, the result was that Still Banks built beyond beyond this point were never as strong or as well built, as they began to become more disposable and not reusable!

This Home Banking safe has most of its original nickel plated finish remaining, and is amazing condition for its age!   There are some very light scratches in the finish, but after all, this piece is 100 plus years old!  This Home Banking safe measures 4-3/8 inches long  x  2-1/4 inches wide   x  2-5/8 inches tall (with the handle down).  When the handle is extended it increases to about 3-7/16 inches tall.  The key and lock work very well, and there is no need to jiggle or force it, as the lock mechanism works like it was made yesterday.  If this still bank were a coin, I would grade it About Uncirculated, or a bit nicer.  Just like a rare coin, I choose not to try to clean this piece up, for fear of ruining its originality.  The new owner can do so if they wish.  I will include a copy of the patent document along with the Still Bank and Key, to add to the amazing history behind this Still Bank!

Own this fantastic piece of Banking History.  It is a must for National Banknote collectors and people interested in Banking History, as these Home Safes were in use during the early part of the Third Charter period and onward!

This Advertising Still Bank would make a fine addition to any Pennsylvania National Banknote collection!  This bank is located in Berks County, so it should appeal to people collecting National Banknotes and other Banking Collectables from that and the surrounding counties.  Don’t let this incredible item get away!

I will ship this item via USPS Parcel Post with tracking in the United States.

New Jersey Sales Tax = 6.625%

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, or if you need better photos of the item, Bob [201] 843 1450 EBAY: Vette70

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Good Luck & Happy Hunting!