J & E Stevens Co., Two Mechanical Coin Banks with Mules

Cromwell, Connecticut, painted cast iron, the first an "Always did 'Spise a Mule" bank, stamped "PATd APR 22 / 1879." to underside, to use bank: place a coin in the jockey's mouth, then press button beneath donkey, the donkey will kick the jockey off its back sending the coin into the bank (8 1/4 x 10 1/4 x 3 in.); the second a "Mule Entering Barn" bank, stamped "PATd AUG 3D / 1880" to underside, to use bank: place a coin between the mule's hind legs then push the button to the right of the mule, it will kick its hind legs to deposit the coin into the barn while a dog emerges from underneath (5 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 8 1/2 in.).

From a Prominent Collector, Aiken, South Carolina

Both banks have old paint surfaces with areas of paint loss, age toning, and some rust spotting; the 'Spise a Mule bank mechanism working at time of evaluation, some looseness to jockey's reigns, possible later paint touch up to horse's rear, stopper no longer present; the Mule Entering Barn bank catch not working at time of evaluation, stopper no longer present.