Banthrico Toy Company

Chicago, Illinois

The Banthrico Toy Company, known primarily for its line of cast-metal coin banks, was an influential American toy company with a unique approach to blending play with practical savings. Banthrico operated in Chicago, Illinois, from the 1930s through the 1980s, and its products became highly collectible for their detailed designs and emphasis on financial education.

Founding and Early Years

Banthrico, short for “Banker’s Thrift Corporation,” was established in Chicago in the 1930s. The company’s early focus was on producing high-quality, durable coin banks designed to look like miniature versions of everyday objects, particularly cars, buildings, and animals. These banks were usually made from pot metal (a zinc-based alloy) rather than cast iron, setting them apart from the heavier cast-iron banks produced by companies like Arcade and A.C. Williams.

Unique Approach to Toy Banks

Banthrico’s banks were initially created with banks and financial institutions as their primary customers. Many banks ordered these products as promotional items, handing them out to customers who opened new accounts or encouraging children to save by gifting the banks as a reward for establishing their first savings accounts. Banthrico banks became popular for their realistic designs, which included a range of items such as antique and modern cars, famous buildings, animals, and even iconic symbols like safes and treasure chests.

The company produced several series of collectible banks, with each series featuring specific themes or designs. The car series, for instance, included intricate models of vintage and classic cars, each with a coin slot and a hidden compartment for retrieving coins. This focus on making banks appealing and functional contributed to Banthrico’s reputation and success.

Banthrico’s Car Banks

One of Banthrico’s most popular and enduring product lines was its series of car banks. These banks, modeled after vintage automobiles like the Ford Model T, Cadillac, and Chevrolet, were not only accurate in detail but also functional as banks. Banthrico’s car banks became highly collectible and were often given as gifts or displayed as decorative items in homes. They catered to both automobile enthusiasts and children, who appreciated the realistic craftsmanship and novelty of the designs.

Expansion into Novelty Banks and Custom Designs

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Banthrico expanded its catalog to include a wide range of novelty banks. These designs often reflected popular cultural and historical symbols, from replicas of famous American buildings (like the White House or Lincoln Memorial) to animals and safes. Banthrico’s banks were typically hand-painted or given a metallic finish, enhancing their visual appeal.

Custom designs also became a key part of Banthrico’s business. Banks and other companies could commission custom banks that incorporated their branding or symbols. This service further fueled Banthrico’s popularity, especially with financial institutions, which used the customized banks to build brand loyalty and reinforce the importance of saving.

Challenges and Decline (1970s - 1980s)

By the 1970s, the market for metal banks began to shift as plastic and other materials became more popular in toy manufacturing. Plastic banks were lighter, cheaper, and more versatile in design, making them more attractive to many consumers and businesses. Banthrico attempted to adapt by diversifying its product lines, but it struggled to compete with companies that produced plastic toys and promotional items at a lower cost.

In the early 1980s, Banthrico was eventually acquired by Toystalgia, which continued to produce replicas of some of Banthrico’s most popular items. However, the company’s prominence in the market continued to wane, and it ultimately ceased production, marking the end of an era for the company.

Legacy and Collectability

Banthrico’s coin banks have since become cherished collectibles, especially among vintage car enthusiasts, toy collectors, and those interested in Americana. Their durability, detailed craftsmanship, and unique purpose as both toys and savings tools give them a distinctive place in toy history. Collectors prize Banthrico banks not only for their nostalgic value but also as artifacts of a time when saving was encouraged through tangible, child-friendly incentives.

Today, Banthrico banks, particularly the vintage car models and custom promotional designs, can be found in antique shops, auctions, and collector shows. They remain symbols of a period in American history when toys served a dual purpose of entertainment and education, fostering an early appreciation for financial responsibility in a playful yet enduring way.