Can’t find the key to my time capsule.

Swampboy

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My Aunt has been promising for years to let me search her change bank. This year she finally brought it north when she came to visit. To the best of her recollection the last coin was put in back in 1971.
I can see 16 silver halves and some silver dimes but for the life of me I can’t get the darn bank opened.

We had a good laugh over that.

I tried a few tricks with small screwdrivers etc. but it’s a pretty stout mechanism holding the metal plate at the bottom in place.
The very last thing I want to do is damage the bank. It has a lot of sentimental value to both of us since it’s the savings bank I had my first savings account in back in 1959.
When I was in grammar school I had a buddy whose brother worked in that very bank. Those were the days I learned to search rolls of dimes looking for 16-ds and rolls of lincolns looking for 55 double dies and S-VDBs.

Ah, the search.
Once I get my hands on a key I’ll report back to the forum.

tightbudget

That's actually a pretty good insight as to what was back in circulation some 40 years ago. Hope you can open it up somehow and share the results; I'm eager to hear.

melvin289

It would not surprise me if someone else on the Forum has a similar bank. I think maybe it's a one key fits all deal. Maybe someone will loan you a key. Or possibly a locksmith.

Ron

Broadstruck

A quick toss over the railing onto the tennis court should do the trick!

Artist

A locksmith could probably make you a new key... just bring the bank to one & see what they say.

llafoe

I'm send the entire unit to PCGS to be reholdered!

ricko

It is really easy to pick the lock.... just get a pick and a torsion key. Cheers, RickO

Teva

I have a small collection of coin banks and more than not they came without keys. I have matched up keys to some of the banks with old luggage keys and small locks made for luggage. I do not have a bank like yours but you may find that a crossover key is a plausible
option. At my local antique mall there is a dealer who specializes
in keys go figure not sure how common that is?
The bank can be a collectable so you may want to try and find a key?

Staircoins

If you turn the bank upside-down, will the coins come back out through the slots, one by one, with a bit of gentle shaking?

Perhaps worth a try, if you haven't already.

Just a thought!

Bear

A strong hammer and a good arm, are all you need.

melvin289

One last thought on this. Is the bank still in business? If so I'll bet someone there has one of those banks on display or on a shelf. Do you still know someone that works there/

Ron

Cam40

try a skeleton key

CaptHenway

Try a sardine can key........

sinin1

cool time capsule



maybe the keyhole is a diversion and some other method is used to open the bank


does the handle move at all? front plate come off?

ambro51

Do you see any with that really really oid worn rounded edge? Those are the ones Id want to take a look at!

ricko

They are very simple to pick with rudimentary tools... such as a paper clip and a small broadhead screwdriver. Cheers, RickO

Eagleguy

<< <i>One last thought on this. Is the bank still in business? If so I'll bet someone there has one of those banks on display or on a shelf. Do you still know someone that works there/

Ron >>



I used to live in Patchogue but I couldn't tell you if that bank is still there or not

JH

MICHAELDIXON

Looks like the tennis court hasn't been used since 1971 either!

SaorAlba

There might be some wheats, Frankies, etc. there.