The time period in which a mechanical bank was made is of considerable importance. Fortunately many of the old or antique mechanicals (made prior to 1935) have patent dates right on the banks themselves. In other cases there are patented banks that show no dates or patent information, however, we have been able to locate the patent papers which cover them. In addition to this, there are old dated manufacturers and jobbers catalogs which picture or describe mechanical banks. There are other ways we can judge an old mechanical bank and place it with reasonable accuracy in its proper time period.

The modern category of the mechanicals (1935 to date) are not as yet so well defined as to their respective period of manufacture. As time goes on this factor becomes more and more important. At this point we are going to define a certain unusual group of the modern mechanicals that are becoming increasingly significant as a collector’s item. These are the mechanical banks made in Germany and marked with the U.S. Zone designation. This is comparable to items made in Japan for a limited time and marked Made In Occupied Japan which are now desirable to collectors.

The designation U.S. Zone Germany appears to have started in late 1945 and was used for about three years until the foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Fall of 1948. After that banks were marked Made In Western Germany. Another opinion places the U.S. Zone usage at about a year and a half. This based on the fact that many factories were destroyed during the war and most of them did not get started in production until late 1946 or early 1947. So for the record, any mechanical banks with the U.S. Zone designation would date in the time period of 1946-1948.

Pictured are some of the known U.S. Zone Germany tin mechanical banks. Figure 1 shows the Elves Candy Vendor Bank on the left and the Telephone Booth Bank on the right. Each bank is brightly lithographed in excellent detail with colors of red, green, white, yellow, blue and brown. Inserting a coin in the top slot of the Elves Vendor causes the front drawer to spring open and a piece of candy is in the drawer. The Telephone Booth is shown after the operation with the boy in the operating square section in the center of the bank. When the lever is pulled down a telephone appears in the place where the boy is shown. A tray under the phone snaps forward and a coin is placed on this tray. When the top operating lever is pressed the tray snaps back into the bank, the boy appears, and a bell rings. Both tin banks are well made and quite attractive. ‘Made In U.S. Zone Germany’ is lithographed on the side of the Elves Band and ‘Made In Germany U.S. Zone’ is lithographed on the back of the Telephone Bank.

Figure 2 shows the Frog And Bee Bank. Again excellent lithography in bright colors of green, red, white, gray, yellow, blue and brown. To operate, the frog is pulled down the ladder and snaps into position at the bottom. As this is done a tray springs forward at the top of the ladder. A bee is shown on this tray and that is where the coin is placed. The bottom lever is pressed and the frog springs up the ladder toward the bee on the tray. As the frog springs, the tray snaps inside the bank with the coin. ‘Germany U.S. Zone’ is inscribed on the bottom locking coin trap. Also lithographed on the bottom front of the bank appears ‘Made In Western Germany’ and ‘D.B.G.M.’.

Figure 3 pictures the Dog House Bank in colors of red, brown, yellow, gray, green, blue, white and orange. To operate, a knob by the dog’s face is pressed to the right causing the square center panel to move to the right and another face of the dog appears sticking out his tongue. This locks in this position and a coin is placed on the tongue. When the operating lever is pressed the tongue snaps inside the bank with the coin and the dog’s other face returns to position as shown in the photo. On the side of the bank is the wording ‘Made In Germany U.S. Zone’ and the coin trap is stamped ‘Germany U.S. Zone’.

In Figure 4 we picture the Cashier Bank which represents a bank teller or cashier at his window ready to receive the coin on his tray. The bank is shown set for the action. A coin is placed on the tray and the operating lever by the upright dog is pressed. The tray snaps into the bank with the coin. The cashier moves to the side and a window appears in his place. Brilliant colors are in red, blue, orange, green, white, black and brown. This bank also has ‘Germany U.S. Zone’ stamped on the coin trap, and lithographed on the left side of the bank ‘Made In Germany U.S. Zone’. In addition, a ‘Provisional Patent No. 10394’ is shown.

Last, but not least, Figure 5 shows the quite desirable Mouse Trap Bank. On depressing the wire form operating lever the mouse in the opening disappears, replaced by a coin slot. A coin is deposited and the mouse reappears as the lever lifts automatically when released. Colors are tan, red, gray, green, brown and black. The locking coin trap is inscribed ‘Germany U.S. Zone’, the base is imprinted ‘Made In U.S. Zone Germany’ and ‘D.G.M.’. The Mouse Trap is a rather small bank and most attractive.

There is another U.S. Zone mechanical (not pictured), the Soccer Bank, and in configuration it is like the Cashier Bank, Figure 4. The Soccer players appear on the front of the bank and one of the players kicks the coin, representing the ball, into the bank. This action takes place across the front of the bank. The coin trap on this bank is inscribed ‘Germany U.S. Zone’, and like the others it is a very colorful bank with similar colors to those described.

We wish to express our appreciation to fellow collector Ed Mosler, who has contacts in Europe, for his help in establishing the time period of the U.S. Zone markings.

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