Monkey and Coconut Mechanical Bank with Red Base around 1891

 Designer: James H. Bowen

Manufacturer: J. & E. Stevens Company, Cromwell, Connecticut Material: Cast iron with original paint

Introduced around 1891, the Monkey and Coconut mechanical bank reflects James H. Bowen’s talent for creating lively, character‑driven toys. Produced by the J. & E. Stevens Company, this charming and relatively scarce bank is admired for its unusually realistic portrayal of the monkey—an uncommon choice in an era when many mechanical banks relied on exaggerated or caricatured figures.

To operate the bank, a coin is placed in the monkey’s hand; pressing the lever causes the monkey to raise the coconut, drop the coin inside, and animate its eyes and mouth in a delightful sequence of motion. This example, featuring the desirable red base, is in excellent condition, retaining 80–85% of its untouched original paint with no chips, cracks, repairs, or overpainting.

A well‑preserved and visually appealing specimen, it stands as a fine representation of Stevens’ mechanical ingenuity and remains a prized addition to any advanced collection of 19th‑century cast‑iron mechanical banks.