349. Save the World: GLOBE BANK by J. CHEIN

This small tin collectible in an antique shop caught my eye because it was a small globe and a coin bank in one. Now what a swell idea to teach geography and thriftiness in one multi-function object! It was made by Julius Chein & Company, an American toy manufacturer (1903-1980s) that was popular for making mechanical toys made from stamped and lithographed tin.They also made licensed toys of companies  such as King Features Syndicate and Walt Disney Productions, producing Popeye, Felix the Cat and various Disney character toys.

What is even more fascinating is that, this old piece contains the old names of several countries no loner in use today--like Siam (for Thailand), Persia (now Iran), Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo) and French West Africa, until 1960, a federation of 8 French African territories.This small bank, no more than 4 inches tall, is complete with its metal stopper at the bottom, to gain access to coins when it is full. "Be thrifty, but not covetous", a saying goes. Unfortunately, when it comes to collecting, I can't be both!

269. ROBBIN'S COIN BANK

ROBBIN' COINS & SAVIN' THEM. A plastic collectible advertising giveaway in the shape of a company mascot. ca. 1970s.

Now, here's a mystery company mascot that I've been trying to identify. I got this 6.5 inch advertising giveawwy at a new, funky vintage store in Cubao recently, and I've been googling all over the net just to identify it--with no luck. This is a figural plastic coin bank of a man with a Cheshire cat grin, wearing a boat hat and holding on to a book.

It is marked "Robbin's", but other than that, his identification eludes me. I thought he had some connection with a fastfood chain. Maybe he's even a trade character for a bank. Any clues?

258. POSTAL SAVINGS BANK

A centavo saved is a centavo earned!
That's what my grandfather used to say to us in his futile attempt to make us realize the value of money--or even coins. I remember he always kept his loose change in empty cigarette paper packs, ready to be dispensed whenever us, grandkids, needed to buy one piece of Texas bubble gum or a sheet of colored paper for an art project.

But a better way to save was with the use of coin banks, given as premiums by many banks. This example, however, is different, in that it was given away by the Bureau of Posts. In the form of a book, the coin bank is actually a metal box, sandwiched between two leather "book covers" showing a relief of the postal building.

A slot is provided at the top of the metal box that simulated the closed pages of a book, and which even comes with a lock to secure one's precious savings. Too bad, with the advent of e-mail, phone texts, mms, facebook and other technological communication breakthroughs, snail mails are bound for extinction; so the 80++ year old Manila Central Post Office Building may be in real danger of disappearing too. Rumor has it that it will be sold and converted into a 5-star hotel!! Now, more than coins,  that's a heritage structure we really need to save!!

245. Feeding the Kitty : CLAY CAT COIN BANK

Saw this very folksy clay cat perched on a shelf at the famed Grand Thrift Shop in Cubao, and I just couldn't resist it! It reminded me of those cheap Staffordshire cat figurines from the U.K.--but this local version packs a lot more charm with its expression and color! It is actually a clay bank, made in some local kiln, peddled and sold in the 50s or even 60s. Clay figurines such as these where very popular cheap gifts, and were available at any local market. A lot were also sold by ambulant cattle-riding vendors. There were clay pigs, clay fruits, clay vases, clay ovens, clay everything! -- all hand-painted with hardware paint.

This pussy cat with a sour grin looks like an ordinary, tail-less alley cat, speckled with yellow and black paint to simulate a kitty's tortoiseshell coloring. It stands rigidly on its base, ready to receive coins from a school kid (there's a coin slot on his back), but is unused, hence it's very good, almost purr-fect condition! It's getting harder to find these folk art clay figurines--too laborious to make perhaps, in this age of resin and plastic. Thanks for the meow-mories!

217. Advertique: QUAKER OATS COIN BANK

And I thought coin banks were the only favorite giveaways of banking and financial institutions to promote their services! Well, here's one--a plastic figural con bank in the shape of Quaker Oats' company mascot--the Quaker Man. Quaker Oats, world-famous maker of oatmeals, bran and fiber products was founded in 1901--a merger of 4 19th c. milling companies. Quaker Oats adopted the image of the Quaker Man as their company mascot who, according to Quaker partner Henry Seymour represented integrity, honesty, purity —which appropriately personified his company's oat product.The Quaker Man was America's first registered

trademark for a breakfast cereal, his registration taking place on September 4th, 1877. The Quaker Man has recently been modified; not only did he lose 10 pounds but he also lost his double chin!

I have been googling for clues as to the origin of this Quaker Man coin bank, which stands about 6 inches tall, of orange plastic--but no luck so far. I don't know if this was a local premium item--the subsidiary of the U.S. company here is Quaker Oats Philippines Inc.--which really has no tradition of giving promotional giveaways such as this. I would date this from the 60s. When I got this coin bank, it even had a couple of coins inside. When I fished them out, the amount total to 27 pesos, local currency. Subtract this from the 100 pesos price I paid for this kitschy piece--so that leaves us with Php 73! Not bad for a rarely seen Quaker Oats collectible!

92. PHILIPPINE TRUST CO. METAL BANK

The Philippine Trust Company was founded in 1916, one of the oldest private commercial banks in the country (3rd after Philippine National Bank and Banco Espanol-Filipino). For its 5oth anniversary, it issued this metal coin bank as a giveaway to its clientele. This bank has a n opening at the bottom and is made of durable cast metal, which accounts for the survival of many examples. I see these quite coin banks (and other similar ones) offered by Philippin sellers dealing on ebay, but I got mine straight from a dealer. Today, the bank is stioll around, and is now known as Philtrust with offices at UN Avenue, Manila.