A Closer Look at This Vintage Bank and Its Fascinating History!

I recently cleaned up this beautiful old bank, and I wanted to share its story with you.

This particular bank was made by the J. & E. Stevens Company, a name that might ring a bell for collectors of antique toys. The company was founded back in 1843 in Cromwell, Connecticut, by two brothers—John and Elisha Stevens. Originally, they specialized in producing cast-iron hardware, tools, and simple toys. But it wasn’t until 1869 that they introduced their very first cast-iron mechanical bank, a move that would cement their reputation as one of the most iconic makers of mechanical banks in history.

The model I’ve been working on is called the "Cupola Bank", designed by the talented Diedrich Dieckmann and first released in 1874. It became a popular item, with a total of 146,755 units sold over its production run. These banks were made in a variety of colors, giving them even more charm and collectability today.

For a bit of added fun, I’ve attached some examples of other J. & E. Stevens Co. banks from 1885 so you can see just how creative and diverse their designs were.

Now here’s where I need your input! As some of you know, I also enjoy building and painting scale models. I’m debating whether to repaint this bank in one of its original 1880s paint schemes or leave it as is, with its bare-metal charm showing its age and history.

What do you think? Should I restore it to look like the day it was gifted to a lucky kid in the 1880s, or preserve its raw, aged beauty? I’d love to hear your thoughts!