Spelter
Made from soft zinc alloy, German spelter banks are rare survivors cherished by collectors—especially the whimsical spring jaw banks. These animal-themed designs, like the alligator and cockatoo, feature a charming coin-drop jaw wobble unique to this fragile form.
Spelter Spring Jaw Banks: Germany’s Delicate Animal-Themed Treasures
Spelter banks were made in Germany using a zinc alloy. As this is a very soft metal, this explains why very few of them have survived thru the years in good condition. Mechanical bank collectors are interested in a subset of these banks known as spring jaw banks. In these, which are all animal themed, the coin is inserted into the top of the head resulting in a wobbling of the lower jaw and as it falls into the body of the bank. Banks in this category include an alligator, a bulldog, a cat, a monkey, a donkey, a penguin, a parrot, a cockatoo, and bonzo.