Offered is an authentic, highly coveted antique cast iron "Still" coin bank manufactured by Vindex Toys (a division of the National Sewing Machine Company) of Belvidere, Illinois, circa 1931. This premium piece models a full-figured standing Boston Terrier with an alert expression and a realistic, right-facing turned head.

Unlike the more common small banks by A.C. Williams or larger doorstops by Hubley, this scarcer Vindex casting features the precise 5.5" scale and remarkably heavy-gauge construction characteristic of the Illinois foundry. The bank is cast in two vertical halves secured by its original iron flat-head slot screw at the left flank.

This specimen features its entirely original, as-found cold-painted finish, consisting of a creamy white base coat with iconic black patches and expressive dark eyes. No modern paint enhancements, touch-ups, or chemical cleanings have been performed, fully preserving its historical integrity and natural age-derived patina.

Origin & Age

• Manufacturer: Vindex Toys (National Sewing Machine Co.)

• Location: Belvidere, Illinois, USA

• Circa: 1931

• Reference Literature: Illustrated in The Penny Bank Book: Collecting Still Coin Banks by Andy and Susan Moore, Page 81, Item No. 421.

Material & Dimensions

• Material: Heavy Sand-Cast Iron

• Dimensions: Approx. 5.5" L x 5.5" H

• Weight: 1 lb, 6.9 oz

Condition Detail

• Structure: Excellent structural integrity. Absolutely zero cracks, chips, welds, or structural breaks to the cast iron.

• Seams & Hardware: Molds align beautifully with tight, honest tolerances. The original center-connecting screw is intact, stable, and untampered with.

• Surface/Paint: Retains a high percentage of its original, genuine factory-applied paint. Displays honest, expected localized paint loss, micro-chipping, and surface wear consistent with a century of handling and shelf display.

Authenticity Assessment

1. Hardware & Recess: The central flat-head machine screw is perfectly counter-sunk into the left flank. The slot head displays age-appropriate mechanical wear and localized dark oxidation within the threads, confirming it is not a modern zinc-plated replacement.

2. Under-Paw Casting: Smooth, dense, dark iron on the unpainted pads of the paws. Modern fantasy reproductions utilize cheap scrap iron, leaving a gritty, pockmarked, "sandpaper" texture on unpainted surfaces.

3. Paint Degradation: The paint exhibits genuine lead-based micro-craquelure and "chalking" where the enamel meets the underlying iron, exposing a stable, brown, historic oxide layer completely free of modern chemical artificial aging agents.

Reference

Author: Moore, Andy, and Susan Moore. 

Book: The Penny Bank Book: Collecting Still Coin Banks. Exton, PA: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 1984, p. 81, item no. 421. 

Note: This entry documents the Vindex Toys (National Sewing Machine Co., circa 1931) standing Boston Terrier still coin bank, matching the specific cataloged dimensions of 5 ¼” high by 5 ½” long and noted for its heavy-gauge, thick-walled cast iron construction.

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