1876 Enterprise Painted Cast Iron Penny Bank Independence Hall Tower Phila PA
Description: A painted large size cast iron still penny bank. The bank is in the shape of the Independence Hall Tower. The tower is part of Independence Hall in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, where the declaration of independence was signed in 1776. The bank is square in shape at the base with two levels having flat tops and with the second level having a tall bell tower on top. The top of the second level has railing along the edge with a spread eagle in the center of the railing. The railing is evident on three sides of the edge with the fourth missing (broken off). The first floor has remnants of its original red paint. The higher floors have lost their color if they ever had it. The tower has a bell on its first level, which can be seen through the openings. The bell does swing. The tower shows clocks on all four sides of the second floor. The base of the bank has the following legend in raised lettering "INDEPENDENCE HAA TOWER/TO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOFF BUILT 1729/1776 CENTENNIAL BANK 1876/PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT THE LAND". The bank which was obviously issued in 1876 to celebrate the centennial of American Independence has its coin slot on the back between the first and second level under the broken railing. The bank is made of four panels held together with a screw fastened in the bottom of the bank. We chose not to open the bank and as such we do not know how it looks on the inside. The casting of the bank is relatively well done and shows details of the windows, doors, eagles, clocks, and railings fairly well. However, the legends along the edge of the base are a bit difficult to discern. See Andy and Susan Moore's book "The Penny Bank Book; Collecting Still Banks" published by Schiffer Publishing Co. of Exton, PA-Bank No. 1205 on Page 119 for a similar example. The bank was made by Enterprise Manufacturing Co. in Philadelphia, PA USA in 1876 to commemorate the centennial of the American Revolution. A nice bank to add to your collection. Please carefully review the pictures presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: 1876.
Origin: Purchased in Southeastern Pennsylvania, USA.
Size: The base measures approximately ~3 7/8" by ~3 7/8" at the base and is ~9 5/8" to the top. The bank weighs about 2 pound and 3 ounces.
Maker: Enterprise Manufacturing Co. of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, USA.
Marks: Marked on the bottom of the base along the edges "MADE BY/ ENTERPRISE/ MFC. CO. PHILA/ PATd SEPT.21.75".
Condition: Bank is in relatively good condition given its age and the fact that it was a toy. It has lost quite a bit of its original paint, it has a broken railing along the edge of the to of the second level (see the last photo), is soiled, and has signs of rust all over. Its surface shows scratches. The bank is made of four panels held together with a screw fastened in the bottom of the bank (see next to the last photo). We chose not to open the bank and as such we do not know how it looks on the inside. The casting of the bank is relatively well done and shows details of the windows, doors, eagles, clocks, and railings fairly well. However, the legends along the edge of the base are a bit difficult to discern. All these issues can be seen in the photos. Because the bank is not perfect, we are selling it AS IS at a fraction of its true value. A nice piece, which would display nicely in any collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
