-Novelty Bank- mechanical bank 1872

The "Novelty Bank" is a cast iron mechanical bank created by Charles C. Johnson in 1872. This whimsical toy, now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is shaped like a small house with a red roof and yellow walls. Its doors are ajar, revealing a whimsical interior where a figure of a man with a cane pops out when a coin is inserted. The bank is a testament to the popularity of mechanical toys in the 19th century, designed to entertain children while teaching them about saving money.