Antique Vindex Toys Cast Iron Boston Terrier Still Bank 1931 Dog Coin Penny Bank

Details

Description

Offered is an authentic, highly coveted antique cast iron "Still" coin bank manufactured by Vindex Toys (a division of the … Read more Offered is an authentic, highly coveted antique cast iron "Still" coin bank manufactured by Vindex Toys (a division of the National Sewing Machine Company) of Belvidere, Illinois, circa 1931. This premium piece models a full-figured standing Boston Terrier with an alert expression and a realistic, right-facing turned head.

Unlike the more common small banks by A.C. Williams or larger doorstops by Hubley, this scarcer Vindex casting features the precise 5.5" scale and remarkably heavy-gauge construction characteristic of the Illinois foundry. The bank is cast in two vertical halves secured by its original iron flat-head slot screw at the left flank.

This specimen features its entirely original, as-found cold-painted finish, consisting of a creamy white base coat with iconic black patches and expressive dark eyes. No modern paint enhancements, touch-ups, or chemical cleanings have been performed, fully preserving its historical integrity and natural age-derived patina.

Origin & Age
Manufacturer: Vindex Toys (National Sewing Machine Co.)

Location: Belvidere, Illinois, USA

Circa: 1931

Reference Literature: Illustrated in The Penny Bank Book: Collecting Still Coin Banks by Andy and Susan Moore, Page 81, Item No. 421.

Material & Dimensions
Material: Heavy Sand-Cast Iron
Dimensions: Approx. 5.5" L x 5.5" H
Weight: 1 lb, 6.9 oz

Authenticity Assessment
Hardware & Recess: The central flat-head machine screw is perfectly counter-sunk into the left flank. The slot head displays age-appropriate mechanical wear and localized dark oxidation within the threads, confirming it is not a modern zinc-plated replacement.

Under-Paw Casting: Smooth, dense, dark iron on the unpainted pads of the paws. Modern fantasy reproductions utilize cheap scrap iron, leaving a gritty, pockmarked, "sandpaper" texture on unpainted surfaces.

Paint Degradation: The paint exhibits genuine lead-based micro-craquelure and "chalking" where the enamel meets the underlying iron, exposing a stable, brown, historic oxide layer completely free of modern chemical artificial aging agents.

Reference
Author: Moore, Andy, and Susan Moore.
Book: The Penny Bank Book: Collecting Still Coin Banks. Exton, PA: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 1984, p. 81, item no. 421.
Note: This entry documents the Vindex Toys (National Sewing Machine Co., circa 1931) standing Boston Terrier still coin bank, matching the specific cataloged dimensions of 5 ¼” high by 5 ½” long and noted for its heavy-gauge, thick-walled cast iron construction. See less