Later, imperfections and burrs were removed with a belt sander and buffing wheel. The caster poured the molten metal into each mold separately. The production of the banks required a highly skilled workforce including a sculptor, mold maker, engraver, chemist and metallurgist. Most Banthrico banks were made of “white metal” consisting of 95% zinc, 5% aluminum and traces of copper, brass and lead. The designs included famous politicians, actors, college mascots, fictional characters, animals, birds fish household items, food products, modes of transportation, and buildings, particularly those of the financial institution giving away the premium. This vast variety of banks reflects Banthrico’s capacity to create designs and produce molds for custom orders of as few as 500 or 1000 units.

Both Banker’s Thrift and its subsidiary, Stronghart, were well-known makers of coin banks.Īlthough Banthrico continued the Bankers Thrift and Stronghart name during the 1930s, most banks were clearly incised with the Banthrico name in the base and/or trap door of the bank until the company was sold to Toystalgia in 1985.īanthrico made over 900 different metal banks most were sold to financial institutions. In 1931, Jerome Aronson and Joseph Eisendrath purchased the business and equipment of Banker’s Thrift Corportaion, creating a new company with the abbreviated name Ban-thri-co. They usually resemble famous people, animals, trophies, vehicles and architecture. Banthrico was specialized in coin banks, which were made in Chicago from 1931 until 1985.

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