The Still Bank Collectors Club of America (SBCCA) was founded in 1966 by a group of passionate collectors dedicated to the preservation and study of still banks—mechanism-free, often cast iron, coin-saving devices with a coin slot that have charmed generations. These miniature treasures, produced primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, were crafted in shapes ranging from animals and people to buildings and patriotic symbols.

As interest in these historic banks grew, so too did the desire for a community where collectors could share knowledge, research manufacturing histories, and buy, sell, or trade pieces. The SBCCA quickly became that hub, attracting members from across the country and internationally.

Over the decades, the Club has published The Penny Bank Post, a highly regarded triannual journal filled with original research, collector insights, and images of rare and unusual banks. The annual SBCCA Convention, a highlight for many members, rotates locations and offers seminars, show-and-tell sessions, and buying opportunities to its members.

Today, the SBCCA remains the leading organization devoted exclusively to the appreciation, preservation, and scholarship of still banks. Its members include historians, seasoned collectors, and newcomers alike—bound by a shared love of these enduring symbols of thrift and childhood wonder.

Need more reasons to join?

Whether you are discovering still banks, expanding an established collection, or looking for people who share your enjoyment of antiques, the SBCCA offers opportunities to learn, connect, and contribute.

Meet people who understand the pleasure of collecting.
There is something special about sharing a recent find with someone who appreciates its history, workmanship, or charm. Club membership introduces you to fellow collectors who can become friends, sources of encouragement, and companions in the search for your next discovery.

Build on your interest in antiques.
Still banks connect naturally with interests in pottery, cast iron toys, advertising, architecture, folk art, and other antiques. Many members collect across several categories. Their interests and experience can introduce you to unfamiliar objects, new collecting specialties, and different ways of appreciating what you already own.

Learn more and make informed collecting choices.
Experienced members can help you explore questions about manufacturers, materials, condition, and variations. Whether you are considering your first bank or refining a collection assembled over many years, exchanging knowledge can make collecting more rewarding.

Enjoy resources throughout the year, at your own pace.
The members’ website offers bank images, historical advertisements, patent documents, articles, videos, and other reference materials. You can explore a new interest, research a recent purchase, or revisit a favorite subject from home whenever your schedule allows.

Develop your collection through personal connections.
Getting to know other collectors creates opportunities to discuss buying, selling, and trading, discover banks you have never encountered, and learn how others organize and display their collections. These conversations can help you develop a collection that reflects your own interests.

Share your experience and keep discovering.
Membership gives you opportunities both to learn and to contribute. Your knowledge of antiques, a family bank’s history, or an unexpected discovery may help another member. Every collector brings a different perspective, and those exchanges keep the hobby interesting.

Pass along an appreciation for history and collecting.
Still banks offer an inviting way to introduce children, grandchildren, friends, and relatives to antiques. Sharing the stories behind these objects—and recording the stories behind your own collection—helps preserve their meaning for the next generation.

You do not need a large collection to enjoy belonging. Curiosity, an appreciation for antiques, and an interest in meeting fellow collectors are wonderful reasons to begin.

If you are interested in knowing more about the banks that are in your possession, want to know more about the art and science of still bank collecting, or just want to meet some great people who share your interest in still banks, complete the form below or join now!‍ ‍

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