-Disappearing Coin Money Box- still bank c. 1850

The "Disappearing Coin Money Box" is a small wooden box made in the mid-19th century. Its design is deceptively simple, featuring a small drawer and a plain wooden exterior. The "Disappearing Coin" illusion is achieved by a hidden compartment that allows a coin to seemingly vanish when dropped into the box. This clever design is reminiscent of the popular magic tricks and novelty items of the Victorian era, where the box would have served as a playful way to collect small amounts of money. The box is now part of the collection at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.