This is an authentic, mid-20th-century mechanical telescoping pocket dime holder bank manufactured by the renowned Chicago Thrift Co. of Chicago, Illinois. Issued as a promotional advertising premium for the Anthony Wayne Bank of Fort Wayne, Indiana, this clever pocket-sized coin holder features a brilliant chrome-finished, hexagonal outer sleeve.

The mechanism is engineered to expand from its compact closed state to an extended length as dimes are loaded, acting as a physical register of the user's savings progress. The top face features its original graphic insert showcasing the "Anthony Wayne Bank" name in classic gothic script, along with the vintage green "Member FDIC" designation below it. The base is stamped with the manufacturer's mark, confirming its origin. This is a fantastic piece of banking ephemera and mid-century exonumia, combining functional mechanical design with regional financial history.

Item Specifics

• Manufacturer: Chicago Thrift Co. (Chicago, Illinois)

• Base Stamp Text: "Vintage Chicago Thrift Co. Telescoping Pocket Coin"

• Material: Chrome-Plated Brass/Steel, Celluloid or Paper Insert

• Age/Era: Circa 1940s–1950s

• Dimensions:

• Closed: Approximately 1.6 inches

• Extended: Approximately 2.4 inches

• Shape: Hexagonal Columnar

• Advertising Text: "Anthony Wayne Bank, Member FDIC, Ft. Wayne, Ind."

Authenticity Assessment

The base stamping demonstrates the core markers of a genuine mid-century Chicago Thrift Co. production. The crisp geometry of the hexagonal barrel, the precise friction fit of the internal sleeve, and the specific sans-serif typography used for the "Member FDIC" imprint are identical to verified period premiums from this manufacturer. The presence of the authentic manufacturer's stamp on the bottom, combined with the natural dry oxidation on the unprotected metal borders and the specific degradation style of the top graphic, verifies decades of natural aging and eliminates any concern of reproduction.

Reference

For historical context on promotional banking premiums, exonumia, and register banks of this era, a highly recognized resource is:

• Book Title: The Penny Bank Book: Collecting Still Banks

• Author: Andy Moore

• Page Reference: Page 114 (contextual classification of pocket-sized advertising and coin registers)

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