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Can’t find the key to my time capsule.

SwampboySwampboy Posts: 13,244 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
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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.

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso

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    tightbudgettightbudget Posts: 7,299 ✭✭✭
    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.
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    melvin289melvin289 Posts: 3,019 ✭
    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
    Collect for the love of the hobby, the beauty of the coins, and enjoy the ride.
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    BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A quick toss over the railing onto the tennis court should do the trick! image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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    ArtistArtist Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭
    A locksmith could probably make you a new key... just bring the bank to one & see what they say.
    image
    >>>My Collection
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    llafoellafoe Posts: 7,220 ✭✭
    I'm send the entire unit to PCGS to be reholdered! image
    WANTED: Cincinnati Reds TEAM Cards
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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It is really easy to pick the lock.... just get a pick and a torsion key. Cheers, RickO
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    TevaTeva Posts: 830 ✭
    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?
    Give the laziest man the toughest job and he will find the easiest way to get it done.
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    StaircoinsStaircoins Posts: 2,590 ✭✭✭✭

    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!

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    BearBear Posts: 18,953 ✭✭✭
    A strong hammer and a good arm, are all you need.
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage
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    melvin289melvin289 Posts: 3,019 ✭
    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
    Collect for the love of the hobby, the beauty of the coins, and enjoy the ride.
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    Cam40Cam40 Posts: 8,146 ✭
    try a skeleton key
    image
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    CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 34,009 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Try a sardine can key........

    image
    Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Also won the PNG's Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
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    sinin1sinin1 Posts: 7,500 ✭
    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?
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    ambro51ambro51 Posts: 14,414 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Do you see any with that really really oid worn rounded edge? Those are the ones Id want to take a look at!
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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    They are very simple to pick with rudimentary tools... such as a paper clip and a small broadhead screwdriver. Cheers, RickO
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    EagleguyEagleguy Posts: 2,264 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <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 image

    JH
    JH

    Proof Buffalo Registry Set
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    MICHAELDIXONMICHAELDIXON Posts: 6,740 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks like the tennis court hasn't been used since 1971 either! image
    Fall 2026 National Battlefield Coin Show September 11 & 12, 2026 at the Eisenhower Hotel Ballroom, Gettysburg, PA. Early Bird passes Thursday September 10, 2026 from Noon to 5pm $25 each. WWW.AmericasCoinShows.com
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    SaorAlbaSaorAlba Posts: 7,593 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There might be some wheats, Frankies, etc. there.

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